as in history
the events or experience of former times
we spent a pleasant evening recalling the past together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in former
having been such at some previous time
a past editor of the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in over
on or to the farther side of
I drive past the school every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of past
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Their ultimate goal is to soothe both the main characters and the viewers at home, often by allowing characters to address unresolved traumas from their past.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 29 May 2026
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
Old Navy’s overnight-sensation collab with gay, Black fashion designer Christopher John Rogers this past April.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Gray has 1,134 assists and moved past current Aces coach Becky Hammon (1,133) into first place on the franchise’s career assist list.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for past
Noun
Argentina paid tribute to its past as three-time World Cup champions and put Kansas City in the spotlight.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
Their ultimate goal is to soothe both the main characters and the viewers at home, often by allowing characters to address unresolved traumas from their past.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 29 May 2026
Adjective
At this past weekend’s Produced By conference, an annual gathering of producers as hosted by the PGA, Jason Blum was taking a victory lap.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
Old Navy’s overnight-sensation collab with gay, Black fashion designer Christopher John Rogers this past April.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
Preposition
Annin's operations director has strode past this scene every workday for more than two decades.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Gray has 1,134 assists and moved past current Aces coach Becky Hammon (1,133) into first place on the franchise’s career assist list.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
-
The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.—
Erin Cox,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The new map moved predominantly Black neighbors into white majority districts and split Wasserman Schultz’s former district five ways, leading her to launch a campaign for the 20th District.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and former health secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who emerged late in the campaign as a front-runner, led a crowded field in the California governor’s race Wednesday morning.—
Praveena Somasundaram,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Preposition
-
Driven by looming patent cliffs, newly buoyant public markets, and Big Pharma’s race to beef up their pipelines, dealmaking so far in 2026 amounted to $106 billion over 201 deals, according to PitchBook data.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Since arriving at the zoo, the buffalo has attracted large crowds and sparked debate over its unusual nickname.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Preposition
-
Grossman did not try to leave the scene after the crash, Holm said.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Concern grew on the Knicks sideline as star guard Jalen Brunson hobbled off the court after San Antonio forward Harrison Barnes fell into the three-time All-Star’s right knee as a result of a foul.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to News 12, the 43-year-old reality star told VUE Magazine about his plans to enter the political sphere at their spring edition party on Thursday night.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
They were jostled by men carrying heavy crates, cursed out by a man selling a pair of old boots, and viewed with suspicion by seemingly everyone else.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Preposition
-
In Manatí, near a chain of Taíno caves and the Tortuguero Nature Reserve (the island’s only natural lagoon), Efrén David Robles is expanding the idea of what Puerto Rico offers beyond San Juan’s beaches and El Yunque National Forest.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
But his anger appeared to extend beyond the disruption caused by the repairs.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
It can be booked for private sessions, but if full, the spa menu offers plenty of other indulgences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver are reuniting for a special video episode of their erstwhile podcast Strike Force Five, the quintet of late-night hosts announced during their joint appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Then, in 2017, Tesla mainstreamed the Model S with the more affordable Model 3, surpassing the erstwhile eco-warrior favorite Prius.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
