thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after that

2

archaic : according to that : accordingly

Synonyms of thereafter

• later
• afterward
• after

Examples of thereafter in a Sentence

Thereafter, the two companies operated in full partnership.

gave his farewell speech and left the room shortly thereafter

Recent Examples on the Web

The president signed the bill shortly thereafter, ending the longest shutdown in the agency’s history. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

Shortly thereafter, one of the only other veterinarians on the private rescue team showed signs of a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026

Should Gerardo have tased him immediately thereafter? —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Shortly thereafter, all of the engineering and technological work that had been devoted to the development of television since the mid-1920s was diverted to military purposes to support the war effort. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thereafter

• hereafter
• after
• drafter
• laughter
• rafter
• hereinafter
• thereinafter

Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər 

t͟he-

: after that

it was returned shortly thereafter