1
2
as in to pursue
to go after or on the track of
let's follow the boys to their hiding place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to obey
to act according to the commands of
follow me, and you'll do OK
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to traverse
to make one's way through, across, or over
followed the path into the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to note
to take notice of and be guided by
don't follow his advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to observe
to keep one's eyes on
stood on the platform and followed the departing train until it disappeared from sight
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 follow
Robbins followed McFadden closely as results poured in Tuesday night, always just a few points away from the sheriff’s lead.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
This is the third property on the Nayara grounds, following Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs from Colombian owner Leo Ghitis, at the foot of the Arenal Volcano.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, sharia — meaning the correct path in Arabic — refers to the divine counsel that some Muslims follow to be close to God and live moral lives.
—Rachel Royster
updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Swiss-Italian operator MSC Cruises said its vessel, the MSC Euribia, is remaining in Dubai following guidance from US regional military authorities, according to Reuters.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for follow
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
This is the third property on the Nayara grounds, following Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs from Colombian owner Leo Ghitis, at the foot of the Arenal Volcano.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, sharia — meaning the correct path in Arabic — refers to the divine counsel that some Muslims follow to be close to God and live moral lives.
—Rachel Royster
updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Swiss-Italian operator MSC Cruises said its vessel, the MSC Euribia, is remaining in Dubai following guidance from US regional military authorities, according to Reuters.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for follow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow
Verb
-
By the time Hassan Rouhani, a centrist politician, succeeded hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president in 2013, the nuclear showdown with the West had turned into Iran’s biggest foreign policy challenge.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the first strikes on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of Khamenei, the second leader of the Islamic Republic who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Against the backdrop of Ellis’ review, Per Mertesacker announced his decision to step down as academy manager at the end of the season and pursue a new challenge.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In every part of the world, someone is pursuing the activation of imagination on behalf of everyone else.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Four of the five occupants obeyed the officers’ commands and got out of the car, the release states.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Shouldn’t Trump obey his own orders?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Boise State men’s basketball team has traversed the 2025-26 season without a true team leader, instead relying on individual nights of brilliance from one of several players to win games.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Mar. 2026
-
With commercial truck builds that are bigger than average cars, difficulty halting, and limited maneuvering, these factors can make traversing construction zones riskier for commercial truck drivers.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Around the nation Wild swings in temperature were noted even within weather service office regions.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Planners and floral designers, for example, note that photos produced by AI can often lead to disappointment for their clients.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Other images appeared to show Kim Ju Ae, wearing a leather jacket, observing through binoculars as her father took a shot, and helping present the rifles to others at the event.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Midwest will be able to see the majority of the eclipse and the Western states will be able to observe the entire eclipse.—
Dean Regas,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Smith replaced Jim Hiller on Sunday after the Kings’ slump took them out of playoff position.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The contract also supports work on the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) program, which will replace aging electronics, upgrade guidance computers, and adapt fire-control interfaces to match the digital architecture planned for the Columbia-class submarine.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the work at the day job comes also knowing there will be gold to chase soon enough as coach of USA Basketball men’s senior national team, first in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and then those 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Maybe somebody is chasing a lot because their body is not in the right position.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/follow. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
