following 1 of 4

Definition of followingnext
as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another the following morning, I found the cat was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

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noun

1
as in entourage
a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person a prince with a large following to do practically everything for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in audience
a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film) that rock star attracts quite a following

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

following

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preposition

as in after
subsequent to in time or order following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

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verb

present participle of follow
1
as in succeeding
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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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 following
Adjective
Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 3 May 2026 Maintain a greater following distance in freeway traffic, slow down before intersections, be cautious on left turns, watch for pedestrians and cyclists before accelerating, avoid aggressive driving and respect higher rural speeds outside city centers. Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
Even for indie projects, Kharlamova said that her growing following has aided her visibility. Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 26 June 2026 The show marks the first screen outing for the Lancaster Prep franchise, an eight-book series that has attracted a substantial following on BookTok. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 June 2026
Preposition
Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 New York City's LaGuardia Airport reopened Monday following Sunday night's runway crash. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
After seven memorable seasons with the Blue Jays, the two-time All-Star made his first trip back to Rogers Centre while wearing New York Mets colors following his blockbuster offseason departure. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Use the following pro tips to help your ficus thrive for years to come. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
  • From the BoDo District’s Double Tap Pub to LIGA Boise on Capitol Boulevard, soccer fever was in the air as the United States won 2-0 to advance to the next round of the World Cup.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026
  • In the next 250 years, what books will get earn their place among the best literature America has to offer?
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Alix Earle is followed by an entourage of SipMargs servers in New York City on June 25 to celebrate the brand's national launch.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
  • Ambrosio, smiling and waving to fans, was flanked by an entourage that included her 14-year-old son, Noah, whose name was inscribed on the back of his jersey.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • The broad genre of pop also gives artists room to experiment, said O’Brien, adding that audiences these days are well aware of the concept of eras and understand artists will go through multiple ones throughout their careers.
    Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • During a recent fan appearance at PeopleCon, Noah Schnapp asked the audience if anyone believed Eleven was dead.
    Antonio Ferme, Variety, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Yet The Bear has always been equally attuned to the tension at the heart of that pursuit.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026
  • The pursuit lasted around five minutes before the suspect successfully evaded officers.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2026
Preposition
  • Britain remembers well the fiasco of 2022, when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss triggered a mass sell-off of bonds after presenting plans for huge unfunded tax cuts.
    Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Speaking with Seacoast Online, part of the USA TODAY Network, three years after his diagnosis, Hall said the symptoms of the disease can come and go.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The company said succeeding in e-commerce once meant winning the shopper’s attention.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
  • At its core, equity is intended to expand opportunity by removing barriers that prevent qualified people from being considered, competing or succeeding.
    Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump is pursuing his election changes through Congress, too.
    Haley Parsley June 24, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • The parts of the declaration worth knowing about are the soaring sentences in the opening paragraphs about self-evident truths, pursuing happiness and all men being created equal.
    Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • For years, Alabama had balked at obeying a series of orders, including from the Supreme Court itself, to insure that its Black voters have a voice in how they are governed.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
  • In 2013, Southern Stars players were blackmailed into obeying instructions by having their salaries withheld.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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