as in final
formal
occurring immediately before the last one; next to the last
the penultimate chapter of the book the penultimate syllable of the word
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 penultimate
Unfortunately, that revelation ran into the buzz saw that was the penultimate season of HBO’s Succession.
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
In the penultimate season of that extension, NBC is scheduled to broadcast Notre Dame games against Texas, Clemson and Miami.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025
That penultimate episode of season one flashed back in time to reveal to viewers what exactly happened on the day of the extinction-level event that preceded the beginning of the series.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
Throw on a sweater — even merely recalling the penultimate season’s climax is likely to give you chills all over again — and keep reading.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
In the penultimate season of that extension, NBC is scheduled to broadcast Notre Dame games against Texas, Clemson and Miami.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025
That penultimate episode of season one flashed back in time to reveal to viewers what exactly happened on the day of the extinction-level event that preceded the beginning of the series.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
Throw on a sweater — even merely recalling the penultimate season’s climax is likely to give you chills all over again — and keep reading.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penultimate
Adjective
-
Making it to the final round, Shell Shock'd was up against Tacos Wuey Detroit and a newcomer that recently opened in southwest Detroit.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
-
In the final round, as throughout the show, Anderson was up against stiff competition.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
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 shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.—
Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder,
Anchorage Daily News,
15 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Penultimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penultimate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share