thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after that

2

archaic : according to that : accordingly

Synonyms of thereafter

• later
• afterward
• after

Examples of thereafter in a Sentence

Thereafter, the two companies operated in full partnership.

gave his farewell speech and left the room shortly thereafter

Recent Examples on the Web

Los Angeles fire officials arrived shortly thereafter and saw the man atop one of the bridge’s arches, said Lindsey Lantz, public service officer with the Los Angeles Fire Department. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Water levels may remain elevated through the next high tide cycle along the Louisiana and Texas coastline but should subside thereafter. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Shortly thereafter, Peter can’t help but interact with MJ and Ned as a stranger to them. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

Shortly thereafter, industrialist Henry Ford, set a new standard of the 40-hour work week that is common today—eight-hour days, five days a week. — Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thereafter

• hereafter
• after
• drafter
• laughter
• rafter
• hereinafter
• thereinafter

Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər 

t͟he-

: after that

it was returned shortly thereafter