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
Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Following his arrest on May 2, Hinton gained a following online and raised thousands in multiple fundraisers on an online crowdfunding platform, GiveSendGo.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Some say Hani’s Bakery has quickly developed a cult-like following.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
The couturier was named Dior’s latest creative director in June 2025, following Maria Grazia Chiuri’s departure from the maison.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
Berry's following post, shared to Instagram on Aug. 17, featured her in a brand-new look.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Following his arrest on May 2, Hinton gained a following online and raised thousands in multiple fundraisers on an online crowdfunding platform, GiveSendGo.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Noun
But our new research suggests that in a digital world full of influencers – trusted tastemakers with large online followings – being too attractive can actually backfire, particularly in the fitness space.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Some say Hani’s Bakery has quickly developed a cult-like following.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
Preposition
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
For years, Simmons has been fighting his ex-wife, Kimora Lee, in court over millions of dollars in Celsius energy drink shares that the feds want to seize following the money-laundering conspiracy conviction of Kimora’s ex-husband Tim Leissner.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
The couturier was named Dior’s latest creative director in June 2025, following Maria Grazia Chiuri’s departure from the maison.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
Amazon says its Web Services unit should be able to supply everything OpenAI needs by the end of next year.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
But the organization needs resources to sustain its essential work and to achieve its laudable goal of ending elder hunger in the city in the next 15 years.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the crush of Crystal’s enormous entourage of footballers, he was swept into a scrum of black shoulders.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The costumed entourage will make their way through Jefferson Street venues like Foy, Taylors, Electric Lime, Experts Only and SportClub.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mamdani has also embraced the world of podcasters and influencers, recently hosting a news conference exclusively for content creators that his campaign said was aimed at reaching new and less politically engaged audiences, according to NBC News.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
However, as the show continues to capture audiences with a dramatization of one of the most notorious true crime cases in modern American history, the man responsible for the killings is asking viewers to consider watching with a skeptical mind.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The crash remains under active investigation by the FHP as officials work to reconstruct the events and review pursuit protocols.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Preposition
-
One year after taking the helm, Niccol’s restructuring plan – including menu pare-back as well as store closures and remodeling – has shown mixed results.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement His campaign website states that after rent, childcare is the biggest cost for New York’s working families.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Before Lauder announced her departure from the family business in October 2024, she was seen as a top candidate to become president and chief executive officer of Estée Lauder, succeeding Fabrizio Freda, who had revealed plans to retire before 2026.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Comcast its elevating Steve Croney to CEO of its core Connectivity & Platforms division, succeeding Dave Watson, effective January 1.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of pursuing chances to pitch reboots of Hollywood’s most beloved properties, scraping the bottom of the barrel might afford you more opportunities to make films that truly feel your own.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The district has secured a $250,000 grant from the NFL Foundation and is pursuing a grant from the Green Bay Packers.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While current power brokers haven’t scrapped movies over their content, yet, Hollywood has a recent history of companies obeying in advance by shelving projects until the tensions cool.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
-
It was intended simply to verify that a nonviolent offender was obeying curfew hours.—
Robert S. Gable,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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