afterlife

noun

af·​ter·​life ˈaf-tər-ˌlīf How to pronounce afterlife (audio)
1
: an existence after death
2
: a later period in one's life
3
: a period of continued or renewed use, existence, or popularity beyond what is normal, primary, or expected
a TV show with a long afterlife in syndication

Examples of afterlife in a Sentence

Does he believe in an afterlife? written in afterlife, his memoirs reveal a kinder, more forgiving man
Recent Examples on the Web On that level, the show’s afterlife as a Netflix sensation shouldn’t be that surprising. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2023 The fans turn slow overhead in the dim rooms of empire’s afterlife, and the shades of British accountants work through the heat and the day’s ledgers and their latest letter to Martha. Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2023 And, unlike the rebroadcast markets of The Apprentice, there is no afterlife of syndication for Trump’s impersonators. Philip Elliott, Time, 17 Aug. 2023 Wen and Bo were far from the only ancient Chinese royals laid to rest with animal companions for the afterlife. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023 Others have gotten their own terra-cotta army to provide protection in the afterlife (see: Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China). Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 19 Aug. 2023 The animals may have been buried to recreate the gardens for the deceased in the afterlife. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023 While nothing completely nefarious has happened on the estate, the home's former owners do seem to remain very active in the afterlife. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2023 The family is devoutly Catholic and said cremation is against their beliefs that family members will be reunited in the afterlife. Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'afterlife.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

after- + life entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterlife was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near afterlife

Cite this Entry

“Afterlife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterlife. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

afterlife

noun
af·​ter·​life -ˌlīf How to pronounce afterlife (audio)
1
: an existence after death
2
: a later period in one's life

More from Merriam-Webster on afterlife

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