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

Better follow-through and outcomes come from understanding why patients don’t act and designing systems that remove those barriers in real time. — Mayank Pant, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Ohtani paused on his follow-through, his lips pursed, before jogging up the line. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Verb

The bishops ignored the warning, and the Vatican followed through with its threat the next day. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Trump lambasted Spain’s position during a March Oval Office briefing and threatened to cut trade with Spain, but did not follow through. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 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