LAST Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

last 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of last

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

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

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

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

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

Congo is back in Atlanta after winning last weekend’s group stage match against Uzbekistan. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 Seeking to close a $12 billion budget shortfall last year, the governor hoped to cut over $750 million from the state’s payroll expenses in salaries and wages. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Verb

For one thing, beetle colonies span all life stages and hence require complex containment; superworm cleaning only requires the larval stage, which lasts 10–12 weeks compared to just five to seven weeks for the beetles. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026 Cleveland manager Terry Francona challenged the original safe call at second and got the play overturned after a replay delay that lasted 1 minute, 29 seconds. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for last

Recent Examples of Synonyms for last

Adjective

That deficit set off a litany of Boise chances in the final 10 minutes.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
That momentous draw came in the final group-stage game of the prestigious tournament.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Definition of final

Adjective

Although rescuers had not detected conclusive signs of life, the operation continued under the watch of the child’s parents and grandmother.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
The best shot at making a conclusive determination on who raped Sebold would come through DNA analysis of the physical evidence.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026

Definition of conclusive

Adjective

The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The storm had maximum sustained winds over 180 mph, with winds expected to exceed 150 mph on Rota, according to the National Weather Service.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of maximum

Verb

Still, the pieces of ceiling trim dedicated to the pillars of courage and trust remained missing, a nod perhaps to the traits most easily lost when disaster strikes – and most needed to rebuild.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
There’s enough cash on hand for Rhaenyra to administer the Seven Kingdoms for a fortnight, and no one remaining from the old regime — not Alicent, not Orwyle — knows where Lannister hid the rest of the ingots.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 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

If there is no fundamental change in the Iranian leadership’s rhetoric and policy, the United States must begin preparing, alongside its partners, for a more decisive phase of wartime policymaking.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
In the first decisive victory of this tournament’s knockout stage, France dominated Sweden Tuesday with a 3-0 win that guaranteed the French another match this week.

— Doha Madani, NBC news, 1 July 2026

Definition of decisive

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“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of last

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verb

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adjective

verb

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Phrases Containing last

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