but then

phrase

1

—used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement

I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.

—sometimes used to introduce an explanation for something

His cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.

2

—used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next

The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.

Examples of but then in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Days or weeks passed, but then the dog barked, the mail carrier tramped onto the porch, the mailbox clattered. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Schwarber hit 18 home runs in the final, but then Harper rallied and hit a barrage of homers to win the 2018 Home Run Derby in his then-hometown ballpark, 19-18. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Beach removed the Knee Defender, but then became enraged when the woman reclined forcefully, risking damage to his computer. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

For instance, asylum seekers who have a child born here but then are denied asylum by the courts. — Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Rhymes for but then

• again
• airmen
• amen
• bullpen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen