past 1 of 3

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
That is why our project is not just about Syria’s past, but its future too. Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025 Haunted by her past, present and future, she’s forced to confront the choices that led to her success yet left her flying solo. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In her prepared testimony, Monarez offers new details about her brief tenure as CDC director, including saying Kennedy issued a directive that CDC policy and personnel decisions required prior approval from political staff — a break from the practice of past administrations. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025 National parks have mostly closed during past shutdowns. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Preposition
McMillan, who isn’t known for his breakaway speed, zoomed past defenders for a 40-yard gain, setting up the Panthers for their first points of the afternoon. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025 Let’s go with the Mariners, since Seattle has sailed past Houston in the standings. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • Bochy, meanwhile, continues his run as one of the most successful managers in MLB history.
    Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • As of 2025, the most covered history topic in English secondary schools is the Transatlantic Slave Trade, just edging out World War I and, yes, the Norman Conquest.
    Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Matthew Doyle, a former adviser to Starmer, described the visit as a strategic blend of ceremony and diplomacy.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Cruz’s rebuttal didn’t touch on Carlson’s claims of frustration with Netanyahu, which former congressman Matt Gaetz said are largely true based on his relationship with Kirk.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Several anti-monopolist figures on the left suggested over the weekend that the next Democratic administration should look to break up media giants or stop corporate mergers.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
  • James won it comfortably in 2024, with a 6-point margin over his Democratic rival.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Notable Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase revealed that she was fined by the league after her comments regarding Game 1’s officiating.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • With the lead gone after that, the bats grew even quieter.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When Angels manager Ron Washington took medical leave in June for the remainder of the 2025 season, Bochy became the oldest skipper, and only septuagenarian, in MLB.
    Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Viewed in this light, the old narrative of 1066 and its aftermath has much to recommend it.
    Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • An extension to take the 28-year-old’s existing deal beyond the summer of 2027 has been discussed but those talks are at an impasse.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Sabally had a career first playoff double-double with 23 points with 12 rebounds including 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.
    Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is done through simple ultrasounds and other imaging technology.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Being able to generate code was finally getting a chance to shine in the bright lights of another erstwhile reason to use generative AI and LLMs.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • While Russia obsesses over Ukraine, its erstwhile friends and clients are quietly slipping away.
    Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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