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

Speaking to the state Transportation Commission last week in San Diego, Kosup stressed that another reason for the fenders is that Navy ships have also gotten larger since the bridge opened. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who leads the 180 Church in Detroit, made the comments during a Dearborn City Council meeting last week. — Geoff Harris, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

He was appointed to replace Edu, who lasted just under two years. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 But that year also brought the catastrophic stroke, beginning the health challenges that would last his lifetime. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last

Recent Examples of Synonyms for last

Adjective

Analysts point out that this is very likely the final World Cup of Ronaldo's career.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
On her final day, a report said she was asked to join The View.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of final

Adjective

Metagenomic testing on blood samples, which is also becoming more common, is not always conclusive; localized infections don’t always reach the bloodstream.

— Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Officials concluded that the video did not offer conclusive proof that a person fell off the ship.

— Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclusive

Adjective

And as the rapturous applause and screaming showed, such stealthy-chic designs, with small details and a sharp silhouette, still have maximum impact.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
The table below includes maximum DTI limits and minimum credit score requirements for all of the loan products Rocket Mortgage offers.

— Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of maximum

Verb

However, The Next Web analyzed the upcoming phase of tariffs and noted that the Commerce Department submitted a report on July 1 that would determine if the data center exemption would survive.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
For years, Goop’s restaurant existed almost entirely as a delivery operation, a ghost kitchen with food engineered to still be delicious after surviving the trip to your door.

— Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of survive

Verb

Following the closure of Farfetch, LVMH purchased a 60% majority stake in the brand in July 2021, while the remaining 40% remained the property of Abloh, who had become LV men’s creative director in 2018.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
The few remaining workers maintaining the plant, however, received those benefits upon ratification.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 31 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

Alphabet’s stock is down more than 15% from its May peak, wiping out roughly $700 billion in value, as concerns rise over its mounting AI bills and failure to produce a decisive technological breakthrough.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
There were shorter absences for core, ankle and adductor issues over the year, but a hamstring problem, which wiped out December and January, was the decisive blow.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

The win was a step in the right direction for a lineup that has struggled at the plate for most of the last two months.

— Katie Woo, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Bryan Danielson was more excited about McGuinness reaching the ropes than most of Wembley Stadium, but Nigel ultimately tapped out.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of most

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Style

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of last

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

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Phrases Containing last

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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