following 1 of 4

as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another the following morning, I found the cat was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

2 of 4

noun

1
as in entourage
a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person a prince with a large following to do practically everything for him

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2
as in audience
a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film) that rock star attracts quite a following

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3

following

3 of 4

preposition

as in after
subsequent to in time or order following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

4 of 4

verb

present participle of follow
1
as in succeeding
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
6

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of following
Adjective
Post-Earnings Analysis: Conversely, traders could evaluate the relationship between the immediate stock reaction to the earnings and its following medium-term performance, adjusting their strategies accordingly after the results are out. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Leslee Gaul, president and CEO of the city’s promotional group Visit Oceanside, agreed, suggesting the city include $5 million next year and follow up with $4 million in each following year. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025
Noun
In recent years, the artist has amassed a global following, especially within the streetwear community, thanks to endorsements from major pop icons such as A$AP Rocky, BTS member J Hope and rapper Central Cee. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 8 Aug. 2025 Despite not being a social media guru, Thomas said, she’s amassed an enormous following on the group’s Facebook page: 182,088 views in the past 28 days. Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
What To Know For years following the Great Recession, the country built much fewer homes than needed. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Swim in a direction following the shoreline. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
  • When is the next Starship launch from Starbase, Texas? SpaceX plans to conduct the 10th flight test of its Starship spacecraft Sunday, Aug. 24, with a target liftoff time of 7:30 p.m.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • There isn’t always a clear winner, and—barring some viral sensation taking the world by storm in the next two weeks—2025 might just be such a year.
    Dave Paulson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Advertisement Advertisement All this is new: the adulation, the notoriety, the xenophobic death threats that have prompted an entourage of men with spaghetti earpieces.
    Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
  • But any loose association of two or more people is enough, like Combs’ entourage, Rahami said.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Whatever the nuances of the text, the audience must end the show clapping along to an upbeat curtain-call jamboree.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
  • What’s nice about Father Forgive Me is its appeal to all audiences.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The pursuit ended near Frye and McQueen roads, where the man's vehicle collided with a white Jeep, police said.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • This alignment with prosocial AI isn't coincidental — both frameworks recognize that unchecked pursuit of efficiency or profit can lead to societal harm.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • Multiple Charlotte City Council members called for immediate steps to improve public safety on the city’s transit system after the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old woman on a light rail train and other recent incidents of violence.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Abrego Garcia, 30, reported to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore three days after being released from criminal custody in Tennessee and returned to his home in Maryland.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But battling isn’t the same as succeeding.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • As job roles continue to shift, the professionals who can combine technical knowledge with creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability will be the ones driving change and succeeding in the future of work.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Nebraska is all in on pursuing Millard South tight end Isaac Jensen.
    Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • With such an unstable organization, this could dissuade Vrabel from pursuing a head-coaching gig with New York.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Housed in a circa 14th-century monastery, this sprawling property is well-positioned in the heart of the city and offers 99 rooms and suites to choose from.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The Rooms Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has 55 guest rooms and suites, located on floors 54 through 56.
    Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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