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

Shortly thereafter, the Rockets fumbled the ball away on their next possession, and O’Connell’s incredible night continued. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, as the Dutch economy faced severe strain, his economics teacher told the class that banks would never fail, only for a major bank to collapse shortly thereafter. — CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Holzhauer was reelected to the Naperville council in 2025 and announced his intention to run for county board shortly thereafter. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Kristin gives up immediately, Cristain taps out shortly thereafter, and Sharonda loses out on the last spot to Kilby as the two try to choke down their dinner in a head-to-head battle. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Nov. 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