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

Meanwhile, Chanel last year launched Nevold, an independent business-to-business hub dedicated to circular material development. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Faro Santander opened last month to display the extensive art collection of Banco Santander, including works by Titian, Velázquez, and Goya. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

But the Duo today gets hot, and doesn’t seem ready to last a full day of heavy use. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026 After All The King’s Men comes out, Chvrches will tour across the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, and their native Scotland, beginning on February 13 and lasting on through May 6. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last

Recent Examples of Synonyms for last

Adjective

Junior finance candidates at GoCardless used to be given a data set and a copy of Excel as part of the final round of testing.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Future vehicles will also be able to check their electrical connections during assembly, potentially eliminating a final electrical validation step.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of final

Adjective

Public health officials say there is no conclusive scientific evidence that supports using cat’s claw for any health purposes.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Although the possibility that better sleep could reduce opioid use after surgery is promising, Amaya cautioned that the findings are not conclusive.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclusive

Adjective

Highfill maintains a covenant requiring utility rates to generate net revenues equal to at least 110% of maximum annual debt service on outstanding system bonds.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Zhang fell into the water four times and achieved a maximum distance of only 20 meters (66 feet).

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of maximum

Verb

Figuring out whether those systems can survive is a big part of what Sandia’s Z Machine and Lawrence Livermore’s NIF were built for.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
And yet Church’s and some of its neighbors, including Tricker’s, Cheaney, and Edward Green, survived by turning the traditional manufacturing practices on which the town was built into an increasingly appreciated point of difference.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of survive

Verb

Such calculations are part of a wider effort to understand why molecular simulations remain challenging.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
LaGrone was directed not to possess weapons, alcohol or drugs and remain under the care of a person whose initials are noted in a document.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 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

Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Despite Paolo Banchero’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks, the Magic had 20 turnovers and shot 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the decisive fourth quarter.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Unlike most New York governors, Hochul is not from New York City or its suburbs, but hails from the Buffalo area -- a more than six-hour drive away.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of most

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Style

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of last

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verb

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Synonyms of last

adjective

verb

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Phrases Containing last

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Cite this Entry

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