ELAPSE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

elapse

verb

i-ˈlaps

Definition of elapse

as in to expire

to come to an end in those coin-operated binoculars at scenic areas your viewing time seems to elapse almost before it has begun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 elapse From the time of the first impact until the last plane crashed, only 77 minutes elapsed from the time the first plane struck the first World Trade Center building until the last plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. — John M. Weaver, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2026 Average goal value comes alongside that, which is calculated with the percentage of time elapsed within the game and the type of game state-changing goal scored. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 This week, a sixty-day deadline for the United States and Iran to resolve larger differences—set in June as part of an earlier memorandum of understanding—elapsed with little fanfare. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026 Another 12-plus hours elapsed until Reed received the official notice to evacuate. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elapse

Verb

Melissa’s Law The statute of limitations expired on Highsmith’s case decades before she was found.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Doesn't expire Up to 50% off The TJ Maxx clearance section is one of the best ways to snag a deal at the retailer, with up to 50% off select styles.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of expire

Verb

Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Another to stop solving problems his team brings him and teach them to solve it instead.

— Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

Letter writer second-guesses history of avoidant behavior after one phone argument ends a decades-long friendship.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

After Epstein's 2019 arrest, federal prosecutors asked New Mexico to cease its own investigation of Epstein's activities in New Mexico.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
After dramatically reducing the number of children in hotels over the past three years, DHS ceased the practice entirely in November 2025.

— Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cease

Verb

The feat concludes a pursuit that began in 2009, when Zhang first experimented with riding a motorcycle on water and overcame early failures to achieve his latest goal.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The meeting concluded with a general consensus among School Board members and City Council representatives to move forward with feasibility studies, cost breakdowns and formal design reviews before drafting a binding interlocal agreement.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclude

Verb

After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
The guests seemed less upset by the death than by the news that their infusions would be halted.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

In 2014, he was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, though that status has since lapsed, the department said.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
This is a serious, serious issue because lapsing Starshield in that manner costs human lives.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of lapse

Verb

Adebayo could pass Haslem to become the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder on Wednesday when the Heat takes on the Hawks in Atlanta.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Since 2022, when the law passed, enrollment in community colleges has grown by twenty-seven thousand.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of pass

Browse Nearby Words

élan vital

elapse

elapsed

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Style

“Elapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elapse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elapse

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