ultimate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈəl-tə-mət How to pronounce ultimate (audio)
Definition of ultimatenext
1
as in maximum
of the greatest or highest degree or quantity the ultimate speed yet attained by a land-based vehicle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in final
following all others of the same kind in order or time the ultimate speaker at today's meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in farthest
most distant from a center the ultimate edges of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ultimate

2 of 2

noun

1
as in consummation

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in utmost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ultimate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ultimate are final, last, and terminal. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," 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

When would final be a good substitute for ultimate?

The words final and ultimate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

In what contexts can last take the place of ultimate?

While the synonyms last and ultimate are close in meaning, 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 could terminal be used to replace ultimate?

The synonyms terminal and ultimate are sometimes interchangeable, but terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

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 ultimate
Adjective
This season is already Newcastle’s best in living memory; the ultimate aim already achieved, securing a place in the Europa Conference League in the process. — Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Our experts say having a post-cooking cleanse is the ultimate daily habit to keeping your home clean and preventing unwanted odors in your home. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
While some supports can do things like give bonus health or shields or revives, Ultron here is essentially entirely focused on heals with essentially no damage boosts or skills of any kind outside of his ultimate, which seems a little odd. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 And his auto-target ultimate is more or less and automatic triple kill or more due to its sheer damage output. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ultimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ultimate
  1. final
  2. farthest
  3. consummation
  4. utmost
  5. most
  6. latest
  7. epitome
  8. maximum
Adjective
  • In their final game in purple and gold Johnson ended up scoring 24 second-half points on 8-of-9 shooting, and led all scorers with 28 points and Morrow had 15 points and seven rebounds.
    — Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • His final numbers were glowing: 14 points (5 for 11 shooting), six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of final
Adjective
  • That's close to the farthest point in its orbit, which is 252,088 miles away, according to NASA.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023
  • Shortly before entering that orbit, NASA says Orion will travel 57, 287 miles beyond the moon at its farthest point from the lunar surface.
    — Lee Roop | lroop@al.com, al, 23 Nov. 2022
Definition of farthest
Noun
  • However, she may be most remembered for having crawled into Bond's bed naked in the hope of seducing him, which thankfully doesn't lead to any consummation given she's supposed to be 16 and Roger Moore's Bond was 53 at the time of the film's release.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Each unit consists of one Class A Ordinary Share and one right entitling the holder to receive one-tenth of a Class A Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination.
    — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of consummation
Noun
  • In my position, there were constant skirmishes with defenders, who did their utmost to put you off or gain an advantage.
    — Alan Shearer, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Parents do their utmost to shield their children from harm.
    — Abe Kwok, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of utmost
Adjective
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • About the only surprise Friday night in the championship game of the Boras Classic South was La Mirada preventing Corona from tying a state record for most consecutive shutouts.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of most
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of latest
Noun
  • In the movie, the lead character is the epitome of the ultimate bridesmaid, attending an impressive 27 weddings, all while dealing with her own romantic entanglements.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The resulting short film, Sea Lion Cow, is the epitome of a passion project.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of epitome
Noun
  • Today, that’s dropped to around 82.6 percent as more income has shifted above the taxable maximum.
    — Dan Doonan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Herman is facing a maximum of 20 years on each possession count and 15 years on the weapons charge, the U.S Attorney’s Office said.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of maximum

Browse Nearby Words

ulterior
ultimate
ultimately
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Cite this Entry

“Ultimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ultimate. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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