* Formal: "The penultimate chapter of the book was the most suspenseful, leaving the reader eager to discover the final resolution."
* Casual: "I got a promotion, and the penultimate step in my career path is finally within reach."
* Figurative: "The penultimate performance of the concert was the most energetic, setting the stage for a truly epic finale."
* Technical: "The penultimate draft of the report was submitted for review before the final version."
Remember: "Penultimate" means "second to last," so it always refers to the item in a series that comes before the final one.