ULTIMATE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'ultimate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ultimate are final , last , and terminal . While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible. // the ultimate collapse of the system

Q: When would 'final' be a good substitute for 'ultimate'?

The words final and ultimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress. // final day of school

Q: In what contexts can 'last' take the place of 'ultimate'?

While the synonyms last and ultimate are close in meaning, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped. // last page of a book // last news we had of him

Q: When could 'terminal' be used to replace 'ultimate'?

The synonyms terminal and ultimate are sometimes interchangeable, but terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development. // terminal phase of a disease

ultimate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈəl-tə-mət

Definition of ultimate next

as in maximum

of the greatest or highest degree or quantity the ultimate speed yet attained by a land-based vehicle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time the ultimate speaker at today's meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in farthest

most distant from a center the ultimate edges of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ultimate

2 of 2

noun

as in consummation

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in utmost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ultimate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ultimate are final, last, and terminal. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

When would final be a good substitute for ultimate?

The words final and ultimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

In what contexts can last take the place of ultimate?

While the synonyms last and ultimate are close in meaning, last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book

last news we had of him

When could terminal be used to replace ultimate?

The synonyms terminal and ultimate are sometimes interchangeable, but terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

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 ultimate

Adjective

That would be a delicious irony — the ultimate cherry atop the revitalization cake. —

Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 Directed by Neighbors' Nicholas Stoller, the movie centers on one bride's father (Will Ferrell) and another bride's sister (Reese Witherspoon) in the ultimate wedding day showdown. —

Jordana Comiter, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

Combined with attack speed buffs and well, close to unlimited ultimates in sequence. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 This book, this whole thing, has been the ultimate of my art. —

Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ultimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimate

Adjective

There were 18 matches, 64 goals, three hat-tricks and plenty of drama on the final day of the new-look league phase of the Champions League.

— Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
The exact cause of the fire, which killed 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 homes and businesses, remains under investigation, and a final determination could take many months.

— Ivan Penn, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025