The past can only be known, not changed. The future can only be changed, not known.
Source: tatoeba (1744)
Past
/pɑːst/
Synonyms for "past" (251 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (51)
Noun(6 words)
Preposition(2 words)
above asking pricebeyond reasonable doubt standard
Adjective(1 words)
ancient times
Verb(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Adverb(1 words)
Strong matches (75)
donedurationdurativedureeearlyelapsederstwhileexistenceexpiredextinctfinishedforeforegoingforetimeforgottenformerformer timesfuturefuture perfectgone
Show 8 more words
Noun(12 words)
Adjective(6 words)
Adjective(29 words)
historic expansionhistoric systemhistorical accounthistorical artifacthistorical collaborationhistorical concepthistorical descriptionhistorical descriptorhistorical diaryhistorical documenthistorical erahistorical eventhistorical examinationhistorical examplehistorical governance patternhistorical literaturehistorical novelhistorical occurrencehistorical periodhistorical phenomenon
Show 9 more words
historical process methodhistorical process timelinehistorical processinghistorical processorhistorical processorshistorical programhistorical recounthistorical social classhistorical source
Related words (125)
Adjective(15 words)
historical statehistorical studieshistorical swedishhistorical termhistorical termshistorical timelinehistorical traithistorical usagehistorical world maphistorical writing systemhistoristicmajor historical periodold photographsprecedingretiring
Noun(18 words)
historical studyhistoryhistory toolmost historicaloldold timesoutsideoutside fieldpast formpast timesprehistoriespreteritepreviouspreviouslythe pastuser historyutmost regional historicalyestertide
historyimmemorialimperfectin excess ofirrecoverablelang synelapsedlastlastingnesslatelater thanlifelifetimelostmasternearbyno moreobsoleteoldold times
Show 61 more words
oldenolden timesononceonetimeoutout of styleout of useoutgoingoutsideoutwornoverover and abovepassepassedpassed awaypast perfectperfectperfectiveperiodpluperfectpoint tenseprecedentprehistoricpresentpresent perfectpreteritpreteritivepreviousprimevalprimitivepriorprogressive tensepsychological timequondamrecentrun outsincesometimespacespace-timesubsequent totensetermthe futurethe pastthe presentthenthroughtidetimetimebindingtoo deep forvanishedwhilewhilomwithoutwound upyesterdayyesteryearyore
Adverb(1 words)
more historical risk
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: past tense, yesteryear, above, above and beyond, above asking price.
- Sentence evidence is available for past, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "past".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "past"
Keep "past" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "past" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "past", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "past" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriesMore specific
25 entriesShowing 16 of 25 words.
Collocations
19 entriespast duepast due datepast erapast eventpast eventspast experiencepast noonpast periodpast tensepast the deadlinepast the pointpast the storepast the timepast timepast timespast week
Showing 16 of 19 words.
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
1 entriesAntonyms
3 entriessimilar
36 entriesShowing 16 of 36 words.
Sample sentences
30 total sentences available.
Air quality has deteriorated these past few years.
Source: tatoeba (18242)
Danger past, God forgotten.
Source: tatoeba (18396)
My financial worries are past.
Source: tatoeba (18506)
Showing 4 of 30 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "past"?
Closest matches include past tense, yesteryear, above, above and beyond, above asking price.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "past"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.