afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd How to pronounce afterward (audio)
ˈaf-tə-
variants or afterwards
ˈaf-tər-wərdz How to pronounce afterward (audio)
ˈaf-tə-
: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter
found out about it long afterward

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward. Afterward, she got a promotion.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the days afterward, a staggering number of climbers reached the top of that mountain to complete new records on the 14 peaks. Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024 The ionosphere measured by phones in that area showed a clear spike in activity followed by a quick depletion afterward. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 Ultimately, leadership conflicts are never truly beneficial—even if teams go through them and perform well afterward. Igor Ryabenkiy, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Soon afterward it was announced that Seacrest would be taking over. Julia Hunt, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for afterward 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterward was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near afterward

Cite this Entry

“Afterward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterward. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

afterward

adverb
af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd How to pronounce afterward (audio)
variants or afterwards
: at a later time

More from Merriam-Webster on afterward

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