after 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of afternext
as in following
subsequent to in time or order the brass band came right after the mayor in the parade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after

2 of 3

adverb

ˈaf-tər How to pronounce after (audio)
as in later
following in time or place upon seeing The Nutcracker for the first time, and for a long time after, Irma wanted to play the part of the Mouse King

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

after

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in back
being at or in the part of something opposite the front part had heard that the after section of the cruise ship had more spacious cabins

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subsequent
being, occurring, or carried out at a time after something else in after years the government set up a special fund for disabled veterans of the war

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 after
Preposition
Self also spoke to the fans and answered a few questions after practice. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 But Odysseus, craving road trip tunes after accidentally dropping his mix CDs into Charybdis, must hear their song. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The firms declined a skills test at the outset, so the researchers inferred skill gains from random assignment instead of measuring before and after. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Each participant did all four inside an MRI scanner about 80 minutes after dosing, and again on EEG about 150 minutes after. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The space agency released before-and-after photos of the impact area on Tuesday. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 The Danuri captured before-and-after photos of the crash site. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for after
Recent Examples of Synonyms for after
  1. following
  2. later
  3. back
  4. subsequent
  5. behind
  6. afterward
  7. rear
  8. past
Preposition
  • Trump’s request will likely now no longer be considered relevant following Monday’s order.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Definition of following
Adverb
  • But anyone who’s yet to see the earlier series need not fret; while Seven Havens makes reference especially to Korra, any crucial details are reestablished within a narrative that’s set nearly two centuries later and stands largely on its own.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • As Melinda points out later, Flora is a pawn of Carla’s and Morgan’s in every respect.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of later
Adjective
  • For rock climbers, there’s Shawangunk Ridge; for hikers there’s Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park; and for the trail runner there’s the 22-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail just beyond the hotel’s back door.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The back frizz is more confined, enclosed in the semi-neat bun.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • On Friday, the former castmember took to Instagram to share some of her feelings about Season 11 and the subsequent fallout.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The danger of a concentrated portfolio is that steep losses could prompt investors to panic, sell their holdings and retreat to cash, potentially missing a subsequent recovery .
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of subsequent
Preposition
  • Evidence for rage therapy is thin The science behind rage therapy is another matter.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That desire for authenticity included the puppetry work behind the film’s memorable alien character Rocky.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of behind
Adverb
  • Kjærvik said calming exercises, social support, group discussion, or other aspects of a retreat are more likely to explain why participants might feel calmer afterward than venting.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • No friends or strangers to share immediate laughs or gasps with, let alone notes afterward?
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of afterward
Adjective
  • Fiat is also dreaming of a rear spoiler that could provide aero in its usual configuration, and rotate to hold the front wheels of two bicycles in place when the Multiplay is in pickup mode.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The rear exterior door of restaurant located near ware washing area has a gap between bottom of the door and the floor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rear
Preposition
  • More delegates from Latin America, the Arab world and Africa could lift the number of countries represented past 60, and possibly above 70.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Trump spent much of the first half of the rally — just 25 days before midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans can keep control of Congress — trying to talk past Americans’ gloomy feelings about the economy.
    — Sagar Meghani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of past

Phrases Containing after

Browse Nearby Words

aft
after
after a fashion
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Cite this Entry

“After.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/after. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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