follow-through

1 of 2

noun

fol·​low-through ˈfä-lō-ˌthrü 

ˌfä-lō-ˈthrü, 

-lə-

1

: the part of the stroke following the striking of a ball

2

: the act or an instance of following through

follow through

2 of 2

verb

followed through; following through; follows through

intransitive verb

1

: to continue a stroke or motion to the end of its arc

2

: to press on in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

Synonyms of follow-through

Verb

• fulfill
• perform
• accomplish
• achieve
• execute
• go through
• do
• put through
• carry out
• make
• implement

Examples of follow-through in a Sentence

Verb

you said you would put all of the files in order, but you didn't follow through with it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If that pattern persists and the longer-term trend remains intact, another 13-week/26-week bullish crossover could help support additional upside follow-through. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Agents are well suited to persistent research, signal detection, production workflows, campaign quality checks, media monitoring, optimization and operational follow-through. — Hope Frank, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

If the Justice Department follows through on not appealing Hendrix's ruling, there is still a chance that other interested parties, like states or counties, could try to ask the court for permission to intervene and appeal it themselves. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

For a leader, that means setting clear expectations, creating accountability and following through. — Laura Muirhead, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for follow-through

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

follow through

verb

1

: to complete a stroke or swing

2

: to continue in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

follow through with a study

follow-through

ˈfäl-ō-ˌthrü, 

ˌfäl-ō-ˈthrü, 

-ə-

noun