ultimate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈəl-tə-mət How to pronounce ultimate (audio)
Definition of ultimatenext
1
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
2
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
3
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

1
as in consummation

Related Words
2
as in utmost

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Dissimilar Words

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 urgent question is the book’s ultimate contribution to the fraught death-penalty debate. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 The ultimate goal, however, is to accumulate enough data to present to NOAA so that Boston Harbor is designated as an essential fish habitat for the species. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Newsom ultimate vetoed a more restrictive piece of AI chatbot legislation that was supported by some online safety advocates, including the parents of Orange County teen Adam Raine, who died by suicide after using AI for companionship. — Kate Wolffe october 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Enjoy twin- or double-bedded Superior Cabins, or go for the ultimate with a gigantic Han Dynasty Suite. — Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ultimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimate
  1. maximum
  2. final
  3. farthest
  4. consummation
  5. utmost
  6. most
  7. latest
  8. epitome
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
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
  • That's close to the farthest point in its orbit, which is 252,088 miles away, according to NASA.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023
  • At its farthest, the capsule was more than 268,000 miles from Earth.
    — Marcia Dunn, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2022
Definition of farthest
Noun
  • Variable rates may increase after consummation.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 26 June 2026
  • After the flirtation and its consummation, David beats a hasty (and unsurprising) retreat.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of consummation
Noun
  • Everything from the turndown service to the welcome drink with the hotel managers exuded the utmost in professionalism and discretion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • First and foremost, Chelsea will be trying their utmost in the final week to ensure that this does not happen.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of utmost
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
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
Noun
  • His parents are the epitome of great, genuine, loving parents who did everything humanely possible to help him.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • This embroidered quilt is the epitome of fall style with its warm background and mix of leaves in faded brown and golden hues.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of epitome

Browse Nearby Words

ulterior
ultimate
ultimately
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Cite this Entry

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

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