thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce thereafter (audio)
1
: after that
2
archaic : according to that : accordingly

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
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.
Owens and Carter made plans to meet in New York City at the Roc Nation office shortly thereafter. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025 Both sides quickly thereafter resumed negotiations and struck a compromise, prompted in part by the potential damage to care givers. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025 Lawyers for the Harris County traffic cop said missteps by an officer prior to an escalating event do not strip them of the right to self-defense thereafter. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 16 May 2025 Not long thereafter, Santa Barbara County unveiled a licensing program with a cap of 186 acres. Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thereafter

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of thereafter was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thereafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thereafter. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb
there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər How to pronounce thereafter (audio)
t͟he-
: after that
it was returned shortly thereafter

More from Merriam-Webster on thereafter

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