Synonyms of after

after 1 of 3

preposition

as in following

subsequent to in time or order

the brass band came right after the mayor in the parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• following
• behind
• past
• since
• below
• après
• next to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• before
• of
• prior to
• to
• previous to
• ahead of
• toward
• afore
• ere

after

2 of 3

adverb

ˈaf-tər 

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

• later
• afterward
• thereafter
• subsequently
• next
• soon
• then
• since
• latterly
• hereafter
• thereupon
• presently
• infra
• by and by
• hereinbelow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• before
• earlier
• previously
• ahead
• beforehand
• anteriorly
• formerly
• afore
• antecedently
• heretofore
• theretofore

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

• back
• rear
• hind
• aft
• hinder
• posterior
• dorsal
• hindmost
• rearward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• front
• anterior
• forward
• frontal
• fore
• ventral

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

• subsequent
• later
• ensuing
• late
• latest
• posterior
• last
• final
• latter
• eventual
• following
• concluding
• delayed
• behind
• closing
• slow
• belated
• terminal
• ultimate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• previous
• prior
• former
• precedent
• fore
• early
• foregoing
• anterior
• preceding
• premature
• antecedent
• advanced
• advance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of after

Preposition

The carrier’s return also highlights the continuing importance of maintenance and modernization in keeping large naval vessels operational decades after their commissioning. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Kyl withdrew from public life in December 2025 after announcing he had been diagnosed with dementia. — Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Adverb

When his mother-in-law arrived at the home soon after, Flynn wailed and collapsed on the front porch, bodycam footage showed. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

The transfer from 2012 came a few days before Israel announced the end of a military operation in Gaza; not long after, Netanyahu effectively acquiesced to Sheikh Hamad’s visit. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The social media algorithm rewards rapid before-and-after transformations or bold statements without nuance, which can affect the way people expect things to happen for them, Aleksic said. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous. — Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Phrases Containing after

• after a fashion
• after a sort
• get after
• look after
• run after
• see after
• time after time