AFTERWARD Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

afterward

adverb

ˈaf-tər-wərd

variants or afterwards

Definition of afterward

as in later

following in time or place we'll go to the play, then have supper afterward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 afterward Absolom stood on stage with his onscreen father and co-star Cara Delevigne, and afterwards was lofted into the air by the duo as a misty-eyed audience showered the group with applause. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026 Some also operate primarily as lead-generation services, meaning your information may be shared with insurance agents or companies that contact you afterward. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026 Wave coach Jonas Eidevall made his first substitution shortly afterward, replacing Godfrey with forward Ludmila in an effort to provide another attacking threat. — Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 The chassis communicated what was happening instead of simply presenting the consequences afterward. — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afterward

Adverb

This early risk awareness later defined his policy position, as Knot gained a reputation during his tenure as Dutch central bank governor for aggressively combating inflation, enforcing fiscal discipline, and safeguarding financial stability.

— , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
About a minute later, Guardado began breathing heavily, followed by some sputtering and twitching.

— KIM CHANDLER, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of later

Adverb

Soon after, a man with a microphone relayed the entire early results to the crowd, which loudly cheered in response.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
And the voter composition for mail-in votes, early-in-person votes, and Election Day votes can look different, meaning numbers can appear to shift suddenly throughout the night and days after, as ballots are processed and counted.

— Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of after

Adverb

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, as the Dutch economy faced severe strain, his economics teacher told the class that banks would never fail, only for a major bank to collapse shortly thereafter.

— , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Kristin gives up immediately, Cristain taps out shortly thereafter, and Sharonda loses out on the last spot to Kilby as the two try to choke down their dinner in a head-to-head battle.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of thereafter

Browse Nearby Words

aftertastes

afterward

afterword

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Afterward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afterward. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of afterward

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes