after 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of afternext
as in following
subsequent to in time or order the brass band came right after the mayor in the parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after

2 of 3

adverb

ˈaf-tər How to pronounce after (audio)
as in later
following in time or place upon seeing The Nutcracker for the first time, and for a long time after, Irma wanted to play the part of the Mouse King

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in back
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part had heard that the after section of the cruise ship had more spacious cabins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subsequent
being, occurring, or carried out at a time after something else in after years the government set up a special fund for disabled veterans of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 after
Preposition
The row reached the competition jury’s press conference the day after the opening ceremony, where a reporter raised the question of historical fact and creative freedom. — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Immediately after its time in Minnesota, the band flew out to film the Tiny Desk set. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The firms declined a skills test at the outset, so the researchers inferred skill gains from random assignment instead of measuring before and after. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Each participant did all four inside an MRI scanner about 80 minutes after dosing, and again on EEG about 150 minutes after. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The space agency released before-and-after photos of the impact area on Tuesday. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 The Danuri captured before-and-after photos of the crash site. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for after
Recent Examples of Synonyms for after
  1. following
  2. later
  3. back
  4. subsequent
  5. behind
  6. afterward
  7. rear
  8. past
Preposition
  • Trump’s request will likely now no longer be considered relevant following Monday’s order.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Definition of following
Adverb
  • Decades later, the character helped Harris navigate a daunting first feature — including a two-week production pause to overhaul a story that was not yet working.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hundreds of mourners later gathered at Rehman Baba cemetery for mass funeral prayers as grief gripped the neighborhood and announcements echoed from mosque loudspeakers, urging residents to join in prayers for those killed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of later
Adjective
  • For rock climbers, there’s Shawangunk Ridge; for hikers there’s Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park; and for the trail runner there’s the 22-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail just beyond the hotel’s back door.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The back frizz is more confined, enclosed in the semi-neat bun.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • Rather than dictate final shots, those sessions let the filmmakers experiment with digital environments and camera positions early, with the resulting camera data helping guide the physical shoot and subsequent VFX work.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Iran ceasefire and subsequent memorandum of understanding were deeply unpopular in Israel, particularly on the right.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of subsequent
Preposition
  • Rows of officials sat behind computer screens while giant displays tracked the storm and the state’s response.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But forecasters say the most dangerous conditions are likely behind us.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of behind
Adverb
  • This seemed at the time like the biggest misstep of Stearns’ tenure, as the Brewers faded afterward and missed the playoffs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • When every data-sharing toggle ships switched on and the opt-out sits five screens deep, the company has told you its real priorities—the reassuring language is just what the legal team wrote afterward.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of afterward
Adjective
  • Fiat is also dreaming of a rear spoiler that could provide aero in its usual configuration, and rotate to hold the front wheels of two bicycles in place when the Multiplay is in pickup mode.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The rear exterior door of restaurant located near ware washing area has a gap between bottom of the door and the floor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rear
Preposition
  • Quarterback Cale Hellums ran for 195 yards and five touchdowns and Army raced past Florida Atlantic 56-24 on Saturday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Backyards became overflow living rooms, remote offices and social hubs, pushing outdoor design past occasional entertaining into daily utility.
    — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of past

Phrases Containing after

Browse Nearby Words

aft
after
after a fashion
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“After.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/after. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All