afterlife

noun

af·​ter·​life ˈaf-tər-ˌlīf How to pronounce afterlife (audio)
Synonyms of afterlifenext
1
: an existence after death
2
: a later period in one's life
3
: a period of continued or renewed use, existence, or popularity beyond what is normal, primary, or expected
a TV show with a long afterlife in syndication

Synonyms of afterlife

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Examples of afterlife in a Sentence

Does he believe in an afterlife? written in afterlife, his memoirs reveal a kinder, more forgiving man
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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.
Instead of crossing over into the afterlife, Billy, the magically inclined twin, transferred his soul into the body of William Kaplan, a teenager who had just been involved in a fatal car crash. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 And though Gen Z didn’t get to experience the installment as appointment viewing, there’s no question the credit for its ever-evolving afterlife and spirit belongs to those fans. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 Egyptologists have long debated whether the earliest pharaohs of the First Dynasty were buried with various servants and officials to serve them in the afterlife—a form of human sacrifice. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026 Surviving Etruscan painted tombs in towns such as Tarquinia, Chiusi and Orvieto are known for their dynamic scenes of music, feasting and the afterlife. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterlife

Word History

Etymology

after- + life entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterlife was in 1589

Rhymes for afterlife

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Browse Nearby Words

afterings
afterlife
afterlifetime
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Cite this Entry

“Afterlife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterlife. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afterlife

noun
af·​ter·​life -ˌlīf How to pronounce afterlife (audio)
1
: an existence after death
2
: a later period in one's life

More from Merriam-Webster on afterlife

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about afterlife

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