following 1 of 4

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

2 of 4

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

3 of 4

preposition

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

4 of 4

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
3
4
5
6

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
In a following move, Waller will be signing a one-year deal with Miami worth $5 million. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 Cassie also appeared with her baby bump in a following close-up shot as Fine’s hands cradled her stomach. Kayla Grant, People.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
The roster also includes Bhojpuri film star Pawan Singh, who commands a massive fan following, and accomplished athlete Sangeeta Phogat. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025 After the video rose in popularity and gained an online following, the short was eventually turned into a show, which debuted on Prime Video in 2024. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the government department revealed how the children were doing following years of hiding in the wilderness. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025 At the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, May 8, Harry, 40, chatted with 13-year-old Grace Tutt, a Special Recognition winner who uses a wheelchair following a bus crash. Erin Hill, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
  • Under the new Fish and Wildlife interim pintail harvest strategy, hunters in all four flyways are expected to have a three-pintail daily bag limit option for next year's 2026–'27 season based on this year's breeding population results.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her entourage, which included several assistants and a meditation coach, followed closely behind her.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Supporting star Jason Momoa walked the red carpet in a striking pink suit prior to the screening but snuck out with his entourage before the film played.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • He was known for his controversial political and social takes related to race, gun violence and immigration, and had an audience of millions of viewers and listeners across various platforms.
    Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Newsweek's Health Care Editor Alexis Kayser led many of the panel discussions and was joined by Newsweek's Global Head of Research Duncan Ross on stage to share the key takeaways about the key lessons that audience members can implement in their own workplaces.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But at a time when strains of anti-intellectualism are on display in pockets of society, and at a time when all else in the world feels overwhelming, Yeo says she’s moved to see people express so much interest in educational pursuits.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • On third-and-2 at the CU 20, the Buffs QB hurried left with seemingly the entire Houston defense in pursuit, spotted Omarion Miller just past the line of scrimmage, and shoveled him the ball before the red jerseys closed in.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Notable Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase revealed that she was fined by the league after her comments regarding Game 1’s officiating.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • With the lead gone after that, the bats grew even quieter.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Currently Kering’s deputy CEO in charge of brand development, Bellettini was seated next to Cantino at a press briefing in March when Demna, the Georgian designer who had revved up Balenciaga, was revealed as Gucci’s next creative director, succeeding Sabato De Sarno.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Lagarde has herself been president of the European Central Bank since 2019, succeeding Draghi.
    David Doty, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Trombone emphasized patience, adaptability, and learning to navigate timelines and stakeholders with other airmen pursuing innovation.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Developers in Miami are pursuing the chance to build something new on the Miami Seaquarium property owned by Miami-Dade County while the parent company of the struggling theme park seeks to raise cash in bankruptcy court.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • It was intended simply to verify that a nonviolent offender was obeying curfew hours.
    Robert S. Gable, IEEE Spectrum, 20 July 2017

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on following

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!