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

Acute myeloid leukemia begins in the bone marrow and typically invades the bloodstream thereafter, according to the American Cancer Society. —David Oliver, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026

Shortly thereafter, according to the government’s story, an Administration official received a phone call from a contact at Palantir. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

Shortly thereafter, the Vikings stormed Kennedy Family Court, champions once again. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

By then or shortly thereafter, YouTube will likely roll out completely customizable multiview settings. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026

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