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

In the lead-up to that goal, Manchester City loanee midfielder Claudio Echeverri clearly stood on Kounde’s foot with a follow-through in a 50-50 on the edge of the box, but the decision did not go Barca’s way, even after a VAR check. —Pol Ballús, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026

None of these gifts required spending money — just initiative and follow-through. —Brian Page, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026

Verb

Trump does not always follow through on his campaign pledges. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026

Six of the men had served their time in pre-trial detention and walked free; 17 attempted to appeal and one of those, Husamettin Dogan, followed through, extending Gisèle’s torment by another year. —Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 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