follow

verb

ˈfä-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce follow (audio)
Definition of follownext
1
as in to succeed
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pursue
to go after or on the track of let's follow the boys to their hiding place

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to obey
to act according to the commands of follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to traverse
to make one's way through, across, or over followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to note
to take notice of and be guided by don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to observe
to keep one's eyes on stood on the platform and followed the departing train until it disappeared from sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word follow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of follow are ensue, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is it sensible to use ensue instead of follow?

While the synonyms ensue and follow are close in meaning, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When is succeed a more appropriate choice than follow?

Although the words succeed and follow have much in common, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When can supervene be used instead of follow?

The words supervene and follow can be used in similar contexts, but supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 follow The issue has particular relevance following US export controls that reportedly sidelined two advanced Anthropic models over the summer. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Rome — Pope Leo XIV left hospital Saturday, four days after undergoing lung cancer surgery in a swift return to his duties following the first health scare of his papacy. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 And the only people who really knew about any of it were those involved — until the following spring. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Friday’s honor makes Joel and Ethan the second filmmaking duo to receive the Lumière Award, following Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne in 2020. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for follow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow
  1. succeed
  2. pursue
  3. obey
  4. traverse
  5. note
  6. observe
  7. replace
  8. chase
Verb
  • In Our Opinion goes beyond the headlines to examine what decisions really mean, where policies succeed or fail, and what leaders should do next.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, in 1914, Jo succeeded in publishing Vincent’s letters in an ambitious three-volume book, which today is considered one of the most revealing and important works of art history.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • That output would provide substantial manufacturing capacity as the company pursues a higher flight rate.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators with the Police Department’s investigations unit and Real Time Crime Center spent the next two days gathering evidence and pursuing leads, Gaines said.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of pursue
Verb
  • The man was carrying a knife, according to the affidavit, but obeyed the officers’ commands to drop the weapon.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Six additional citations — speeding, improper passing, failing to drive in a single lane, following too closely, failing to obey traffic control and running a red light — have been added to his charges.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of obey
Verb
  • According to Clarksons, 36 percent of container capacity routed via the canal or the Cape of Good Hope traversed the Suez in early October, up from 8 percent between 2024 and mid-2026.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The program takes advantage of showcasing its expansive bounty, with inventive displays of all the ways in which these artifacts traverse borders of time and space.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of traverse
Verb
  • Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But the agents deny that claim in the lawsuit, noting that that they were fired without any investigation, notice or hearing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of note
Verb
  • Scientists have been able to measure quantum effects in larger and more complex systems and over great distances, blurring the line once thought to separate the scale of observer and observed.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Employee was observed rinsing vegetables in the hand wash sink.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of observe
Verb
  • Two lasers replace hardware Optical frequency combs work much like rulers for light.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For Chisell, technology should never replace human responsibility.
    — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of replace
Verb
  • Businesses that rediscover its values will gain what their velocity-chasing competitors cannot buy, borrow, or automate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The settlers hurled stones with slings and set the groves on fire, chasing a group of journalists about 80 yards from the scene.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of chase

Phrases Containing follow

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follies
follow
followed
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Cite this Entry

“Follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/follow. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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