last 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lastnext
1
as in final
following all others of the same kind in order or time last one in the pool is a rotten egg fans waiting for the last book in the series to be released

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning a book that purports to be the last word on the investigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in maximum
of the greatest or highest degree or quantity our last praise should be reserved for those original thinkers who expand the frontiers of science and technology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

last

2 of 2

verb

ˈlast How to pronounce last (audio)
1
as in to survive
to continue to operate or to meet one's needs we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remain
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state this heavy drought has lasted all summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective last contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of last are final, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," 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 is it sensible to use final instead of last?

In some situations, the words final and last are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When can terminal be used instead of last?

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

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than last?

While in some cases nearly identical to last, 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

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 last
Adjective
Since Yellowstone’s last caldera-forming event, the region has experienced approximately 80 comparatively nonexplosive eruptions, most of which produced lava flows. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026 Police said on Sunday the gunman had previously had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year, and had watched violent content online, using social media to learn how to use a firearm. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
The board meeting lasted more than two hours with several parents voicing their concerns. — Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Up to the time of the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, quite a few observers of the developments in Germany were undecided as to whether the National dictatorship would last. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
  1. final
  2. conclusive
  3. maximum
  4. survive
  5. remain
  6. latest
  7. decisive
  8. most
Adjective
  • Plea negotiations are ongoing between Mangione’s attorneys and federal prosecutors, but sources familiar with the discussions have cautioned that talks remain fluid, and nothing is final until it’s announced in court.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Manchester United held a narrow 3-2 lead from the first leg of this European Cup quarter-final.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of final
Adjective
  • The opposite mistake is to treat every statistical change or customer complaint as conclusive evidence of material harm.
    — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There’s less conclusive evidence that microdosing works the same way by engaging the same neuro-receptors, but less intensely.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Federal policy calls for additional nuclear capacity, including efforts to begin construction of 10 new large reactors by 2030 and increase the maximum operating power of existing reactors.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • He's made just 15 Cup Series starts and somehow turned those limited opportunities into maximum impact, winning twice.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of maximum
Verb
  • Teams earned points by winning weekly head-to-head battles – tugging a sled across the field the fastest, surviving a heated game of dodgeball – and by simply doing the right thing.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to Kristen, Norris is survived by another daughter, Megan; five grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Ann Fritsch.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of survive
Verb
  • Drizzle with remaining chili crisp solids and/or additional chili crisp, if desired.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The escalating tally underscores how far the two sides remain from resolving a crisis that has choked the Strait of Hormuz for more than five months.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of remain
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.
    — Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023
Definition of latest
Adjective
  • The 5th District saw more than double the amount of votes cast in its Congressional primary than in the 4th, and the gap in support between candidates was much more decisive.
    — Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • So there’s something really cathartic about watching Ulf — the lowliest, most base, comedic and ludicrous of all the Targaryens and dragonriders — beating him.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Because of safe, effective immunizations, most Americans do not remember vaccine preventable deaths and have never known anyone disabled from illnesses like smallpox, measles, rubella, whooping cough, or polio.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of most

Phrases Containing last

Browse Nearby Words

lassos
last
last (beyond)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on last

Nglish: Translation of last for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All