past 1 of 3

Definition of pastnext
as in history
the events or experience of former times we spent a pleasant evening recalling the past together

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past

2 of 3

adjective

past

3 of 3

preposition

1
as in over
on or to the farther side of I drive past the school every day

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2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order it's ten minutes past six o'clock

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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 past
Noun
White has a controversial past, including failure to pay child support, a charge White denies, and making a number of derogatory social media comments. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Sampling the air using sediments from the seabed The Toarcian warming event is one of a dozen or so periods of climate change in the geological past that were triggered by enormous volcanic phenomena known as large igneous provinces. Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Adjective
Dong had been locked up in China several times, including for his activities commemorating the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and past efforts to flee. ABC News, 29 June 2026 Hiring teams may not see the connection between past experience and current needs. Adam Broda, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Preposition
In the second match of the day, France eked past Paraguay, with the South Americans providing a tough test for one of the tournament favorites. Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 People cross the street past a large billboard showing portraits of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) and slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) in central Tehran on June 8, 2026. Emma Graham, CNBC, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • The pages contained everything to know, all the history of the island and the church.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year, serving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their complicated history as onetime colonists of an empire who became a superpower of their own.
    Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Johnston, Cobbins leaving Johnston’s departure comes just three years after becoming the long-term replacement for former County Administrator Doug Bach, who left the government under an $800,000 separation agreement.
    Sofi Zeman July 2, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The backstory Educator, journalist, and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland—best known to the world as the creator of the American Girl line of dolls—graduated from Wells College, a former school in town, in 1962.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Preposition
  • Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Shortstop Francisco Lindor backed up and called off the converging outfielders before losing his footing and falling right in front of Tyrone Taylor, who tripped over Lindor while failing to make the catch.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
Preposition
  • Ryan Lasko, a 24-year-old outfielder in the Athletics system, was injured during a game with Double-A Midland RockHounds after diving to catch a ball while playing center field.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The commission said there were four reports of consumers seeking medical treatment after swallowing the metal bristles, and customers were advised to stop using the products and request a replacement nylon grill brush.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • While students honed their skills at the Santa Monica studio for the last year and four months, Blanck found an old pilates studio in Pacific Highlands for rent, but the numbers just didn't add up.
    Rina Nakano, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Preposition
  • Costa is called into action again as James Rodríguez fires low from beyond the 18-yard box, but the Portugal keeper dives low to his right to keep his goal unbeaten.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • The samples have helped extend records of past weather events centuries beyond modern satellite imagery, scientists say.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The majority framed sports as different from other school settings because of what is at stake every time a roster is made, a medal is awarded or a scholarship is offered.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Like so many other businesses and homes, cost has made coverage out of reach.
    Brian New, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
  • Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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