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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Many questions Bukele has billed the rapid buildup as a search-and-rescue operation to find the missing Salvadorans, who were attacked east of Port-au-Prince while returning to camp after a trip to the supermarket. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026 Estévez suffered a left-foot contusion after being struck by a line drive during a game against the Atlanta Braves. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Soon after, Lewis adopted Risk, who took his surname, at age 21, according to friends and a blurb in the younger Lewis’ funeral program. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Born in France, Osama moved to Dubai in 2018 and soon after, started working for Farfetch, first as a stylist for the platform’s Middle East campaigns and later on joining the private client side of the business. — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 23 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
  • The tech-heavy index gained over 1% on Monday following Friday and last week's nosedive.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s request will likely now no longer be considered relevant following Monday’s order.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of following
Adverb
  • A couple years later, on the verge of being demolished and replaced by several new McMansions, fund manager and seasonal Watch Hill resident Charles Royce stepped in to salvage its history.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The team has dipped to a losing record for the first time all season since Week 1 and now has allowed the 3-4 Falcons a direct path to sole ownership of the NFC South later this weekend.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of later
Adjective
  • After scoring his second goal of the game, Francis celebrated with a back flip.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • South Metro Fire Rescue crews rushed to a home in Littleton after a truck crashed through the back wall of a garage.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adjective
  • The Hader trade brought Game 3 starter Robert Gasser and journeyman outfielder Estuery Ruiz, and within a subsequent three-team trade, the Brewers swiped All-Star catcher William Contreras for Ruiz.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Chronic vocal cord issues, and a subsequent surgery, forced him to cancel a long stretch of shows, including a European tour.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of subsequent
Preposition
  • And after a few key results on Saturday, there’s some clarity behind Miami in the conference standings with five weeks left in the regular season.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike other modern culinary festivals, there was no peeking behind the curtain, because, in fact, there is no curtain.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of behind
Adverb
  • OutKick did not get an opportunity to ask why those preparations needed to happen during the anthem rather than before or afterward.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of afterward
Adjective
  • It's got a set of pedals, as well as a twist-throttle on the right bar, controlling a 750-W nominal, 1,310-W peak, 85-Nm (63-lb-ft) electric motor between the rear wheels.
    — Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • One of the workers who was in the rear bay and the driver of the Jeep were taken to a hospital for their injuries.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rear
Preposition
  • Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers in an error-prone game.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • CoreWeave, the biggest of the group, has seen the spread on its credit default swaps soar past 11%, as investors are forced to pay up for insurance against default.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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