afterglow
noun
af·ter·glow
ˈaf-tər-ˌglō 
1
: a glow remaining where a light has disappeared
2
: a pleasant effect or feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved
basking in the afterglow of success
Examples of afterglow in a Sentence
the afterglow of the sunset
Recent Examples on the Web
Though saying farewell to long days lounging at the pool feels pretty sad, the final weeks of earnings season are set to leave a cheery afterglow.
—
Laura Bratton, Quartz, 16 Aug. 2024
For years astronomers have argued over a gulf between the expansion rate as measured from galaxies in the local universe and as calculated from studies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the afterglow of the Big Bang.
—Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 13 Aug. 2024
Today’s Americans live not in the immediate, reassuring afterglow of Watergate, but in its long, destabilizing shadow.
—Bruce J. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
In 1952, the country was still basking in the afterglow of its moral and military triumph in World War II.
—Philip Murphy, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for afterglow 
Laura Bratton, Quartz, 16 Aug. 2024
For years astronomers have argued over a gulf between the expansion rate as measured from galaxies in the local universe and as calculated from studies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the afterglow of the Big Bang.
—Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 13 Aug. 2024
Today’s Americans live not in the immediate, reassuring afterglow of Watergate, but in its long, destabilizing shadow.
—Bruce J. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
In 1952, the country was still basking in the afterglow of its moral and military triumph in World War II.
—Philip Murphy, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for afterglow
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'afterglow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near afterglow
Cite this Entry
“Afterglow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterglow. Accessed 10 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afterglow
noun
af·ter·glow
-ˌglō
1
: a glow remaining (as in the sky after sunsets) where a light has disappeared
2
: a pleasant feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved
the afterglow of success
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