AFTERWARDS 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 The transit agency banned him afterward in September, court records show. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 Shortly afterwards, he was seen walking around church property just before surveillance footage showed smoke start to billow out of the building. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Soon afterward, two mission helicopters were seen conducting maneuvers over the city. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026 Governance frameworks need to be in place before the first dataset is generated, not bolted on afterward. — Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afterward

Adverb

Four pitches later, Tim Tawa launched a 414-foot blast to left-center for his sixth homer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Detectives later learned the same man had also been involved in a similar incident earlier that day at Sun & Shade in Folsom, where an employee reported the behavior.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of later

Adverb

Sometime after, the vehicle slammed into multiple barriers, a tree, a stop sign and light pole before overturning into the parking lot of a Tesla dealership, 20850 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens police said.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Soon after, more people gathered, standing behind the sad but necessary fence enclosing the resilient tree, out of respect, curiosity or simple gawking.

— David Dickstein, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of after

Adverb

Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback for Carolina — likely for two to three series — with Haynes King getting all the reps thereafter.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026
Shortly thereafter, the association endorsed the task force’s recommendation to support legalization.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of afterward

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on afterward

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'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

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes