Master confusing words with ease
Penultimate vs. Ultimate
Penultimate
/peˈnʌltəmət/Examples:
The penultimate chapter left us eager for the conclusion.In a marathon, the penultimate mile tests a runner's stamina.Her performance peaked in the penultimate scene of the play.
Synonyms:
This word has no synonymsAntonyms:
Ultimate
/ˈʌltəmət/Examples:
This is the ultimate test of your skills.Winning was her ultimate goal this year.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Ultimate means the last or final, the endpoint, or the best/highest.
- Penultimate refers to the second to last, not the final one.
- If ultimate is the top, then penultimate comes just before it.
- Remember, pen is a prefix meaning almost or next to (like in penumbra).
- Think of penultimate as being one step before the ultimate step.
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