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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penultimate
For the first time in Broadway history, a play will be aired live on broadcast as Clooney takes his penultimate bow in Good Night, and Good Luck.
—
Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 6 June 2025
Following the penultimate episode of MobLand when Maeve (Helen Mirren) and Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) were arrested for murder and heading back to prison, Conrad receives a warm welcome to end the first season fo the Paramount+ crime thriller.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
An equaliser in the penultimate minute and an extra-time decider from Denis Bouanga mean FIFA’s 32-team mash-up is complete, with LAFC nicking the final place.
—Phil Hay
june 2, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Leah Byrne as Rose, staking out Merritt's captors Courtesy of Netflix
The penultimate episode of Dept. Q finally reveals the two people responsible for Merritt’s kidnapping: Ailsa Jennings and her son, Lyle.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 6 June 2025
Following the penultimate episode of MobLand when Maeve (Helen Mirren) and Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) were arrested for murder and heading back to prison, Conrad receives a warm welcome to end the first season fo the Paramount+ crime thriller.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
An equaliser in the penultimate minute and an extra-time decider from Denis Bouanga mean FIFA’s 32-team mash-up is complete, with LAFC nicking the final place.
—Phil Hay
june 2, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Leah Byrne as Rose, staking out Merritt's captors Courtesy of Netflix
The penultimate episode of Dept. Q finally reveals the two people responsible for Merritt’s kidnapping: Ailsa Jennings and her son, Lyle.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penultimate
Adjective
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In the final episode of The Survivors, Sean tries to kill Kieran inside the caves after telling his friends all of his secrets.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Aside from the Club World Cup, Global Citizen is also producing the World Cup final next year.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 19 Jun. 2025.
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