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, he was diagnosed as having possible early tuberculosis and admitted to Barlow Sanatorium for a year and a half. —Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 June 2026

Shortly thereafter, Abdulkareem started representing himself. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2026

Adults should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years thereafter. —Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

The Kings were the only team in the state from 1976 to 1991, and then the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks arrived shortly thereafter. —John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 23 June 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