follow-through

1 of 2

noun

fol·​low-through ˈfä-lō-ˌthrü How to pronounce follow-through (audio)
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

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
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.
Noun
In Contra Costa County, where just over a dozen orders were filed last year, District Attorney Diana Becton is looking to use federal grants to build a system that increases follow-through on restraining orders. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 Looking back over more than two decades of price history, HD has a consistent tendency to emerge from long consolidations with powerful follow-through rallies lasting months — and often years. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, anyone who actually followed through on those long-ago threats to quit the NFL seems to have snuck back into the fold. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Thanks to the new ‘Hi-Five’ rule, which penalizes defenders for swiping at hands following through, and re-emphasizes contact to shooters’ legs, Curry shot nine free throws in the first half, all makes, and ended up with 13 attempts from the foul line overall. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for follow-through

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of follow-through was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Follow-through.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follow-through. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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