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
1
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
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
as in pursuing
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 obeying
to act according to the commands of
follow me, and you'll do OK
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in traversing
to make one's way through, across, or over
followed the path into the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noting
to take notice of and be guided by
don't follow his advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in watching
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of following
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The three-time Grammy winner has built a global following that extends far beyond music and already overlaps with luxury, fashion, and lifestyle brands.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
The Volunteers roared out to a 15-2 start the following spring before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but something was clearly brewing in Knoxville.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
If the measure passes, violators would face penalties under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, including an up to $10,000 fine for a first offense and a $25,000 fine for any following offenses.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
While not a truly national media figure, Rose has cultivated a strong following in the New York area in the decades since joining Mets broadcasts in 1987.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
The three-time Grammy winner has built a global following that extends far beyond music and already overlaps with luxury, fashion, and lifestyle brands.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Preposition
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office released the video on Tuesday afternoon following day 6 of hearings to determine if evidence will be excluded from Mangione's trial.
—Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
In the early 1990s, home values plummeted following an overheated market in the mid-to-late 1980s.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
The Volunteers roared out to a 15-2 start the following spring before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but something was clearly brewing in Knoxville.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
During the next two years, Pahlavi expanded his operation and deepened his ties with Israel.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Your quick mind can connect the dots and name next steps, while kindness keeps the conversation light, productive, and surprisingly fun.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By then, Pahlavi was surrounded by a younger entourage of analysts and advisers, some of whom were brash figures once associated with the country’s reformist student movement.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, the man was confronted by an MMA fighter, a Russian YouTuber and their camera-carrying entourage, who were livestreaming the interaction to thousands of viewers online.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Who’s In the Cast The all-British cast includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young — 11 performers building an ensemble for a UK audience.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Mar. 2026
-
With more than 350,000 attendees per edition and an international audience representing nearly half of its visitors, according to a press release, the festival has solidified itself as one of Marbella’s key cultural, tourist and economic drivers.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The South African competition framework was one of the biggest barriers to MTN’s pursuit of Telkom, the third largest network which also runs the biggest fiber optic network in Africa’s biggest economy.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Nathan Lane dryly observed that Chalamet said all this while promoting a movie about Ping-Pong—another pursuit of no interest to huge numbers of people.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
Preposition
-
In the past 24 hours, surface winds have shifted to the south, not only helping to boost temperatures after the unseasonably cold start to the week but also nudging up humidity and dew point temps, which should diminish the wildfire threat heading into Thursday.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Mustangs’ season ended March 6 with a 23-11 record after a 69-56 loss to Bishop McNamara in the Class 2A Seneca Sectional final.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Josh D’Amaro, a 28-year veteran of the company, took over as chief executive at Disney’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, succeeding longtime CEO Bob Iger.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The projects that are succeeding have raised the bar— Hyperliquid and Uniswap, for example, now share revenue with token holders.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Being open to the general public allows guests to get a feel for the space and for staff to build a rapport, said Manon, who is currently pursuing her facilitator license.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Before pursuing acting, Speaks studied Marine and Environmental Science at Hampton University and gained recognition for his research on shark behavior and marine ecosystems.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The perspective of a military officer forced to choose between obeying orders and listening to his conscience is rarely explored.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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