thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after that

2

archaic : according to that : accordingly

Synonyms

• after
• afterward
• afterwards
• later
• latterly
• subsequently

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for thereafter

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

Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər 

t͟he-

: after that

it was returned shortly thereafter