The penultimate is a term used to describe something that comes before the final or ultimate event, action, or outcome. It refers to the second-to-last thing in a sequence or series, often indicating a significant point of transition or change.
Usage examples
The penultimate episode of the television series had fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the grand finale.
In the penultimate round of the competition, the two remaining contestants faced off in a fierce battle for the championship.
The penultimate chapter of the book resolved many of the main plotlines, setting the stage for the final climactic confrontation.
The penultimate verse of the song built up the anticipation, leading to the powerful chorus that followed.
The penultimate item on the agenda was the most crucial, requiring thorough discussion before moving on to the final point.
Each year this time, scores of penultimate year undergraduates put in great amounts of effort preparing for their Master's degree application — taking their GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS; updating and perfecting their resume; looking for referees for reference letters; writing personal statements and application essays. (careerdigital.com)
The fourth and penultimate episode of Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy, Who Needs You, will release next week, and we have our first look of what we can expect from the inter-galactic travelers. (xboxenthusiast.com)
It is just one of penultimate games of this gen. I see this more of a statement of standing by OG PS4 / XOne owners rather than a rebuke towards the Pro and / or lack of desire to support it. (n4g.com)