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

These trains, currently on view at Turin’s Fondazione Agnelli, were shown last year at Luma Arles along with other recent work that extends the Swiss artist’s interest in mass consumption, the everyday object, and the circulation of images. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 In the final days of summer, as New Yorkers hold on to their last al fresco dinners and natural tans, cloudy skies are the most unwelcome sight. — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Then come the notions and hardware, like earring posts, beads and crystal accents, that complete the transformation from fleeting flora to lasting adornment. — Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Measles symptoms generally appear within seven to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus, according to the CDC, though the incubation period can last up to 21 days. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last

Recent Examples of Synonyms for last

Adjective

In the final episode of her new Netflix reality show Earle Meets World, which aired in full on Friday, the 25-year-old shared a glimpse of what was happening behind the scenes after Cooper called her out in a TikTok post on April 13.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026
Steinem spent her final years continuing to write, her representatives noted Thursday, including her forthcoming book An Unexpected Life.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 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

Transplants of mature muscle tissue based on stem cells taken from the mouse’s own quadriceps were found to survive for more than 81 days in experiments.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The infected saplings are the descendants of trees that survived the blight.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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

Carney was also buoyed by Monday’s Liberal sweep of three special elections, including a decisive win in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, where the Conservatives fell to third place.

— Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Carney was also buoyed by Monday's Liberal sweep of three special elections, including a decisive win in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Quebec, where the Conservatives fell to third place.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 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

Cite this Entry

Style

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of last

adjective

verb

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Phrases Containing last

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