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as in to succeed
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word follow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of follow are ensue, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is it sensible to use ensue instead of follow?

While the synonyms ensue and follow are close in meaning, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When is succeed a more appropriate choice than follow?

Although the words succeed and follow have much in common, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When can supervene be used instead of follow?

The words supervene and follow can be used in similar contexts, but supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

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 The Death Row honcho’s life was forever changed the night his BMW was peppered with shots at the intersection of East Flamingo and Koval Lane in Las Vegas while riding with 2Pac on Sept. 7 following a Mike Tyson boxing fight at the MGM Grand. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 July 2025 Tires is the second production from Gillis and McKeever’s production company, Dad Sick Productions, following Gillis’ stand-up special Beautiful Dogs. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025 Some of the best ways include the following: Garshick says that regular exfoliation, chemical or physical, helps to prevent the buildup of dead skin, and prevents the pores from becoming clogged. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 1 July 2025 After going down 3-1 in the bottom of the second, Lindor hit the first of the trio of third-inning homers, with Nimmo and Soto following suit to put the Mets back on top, 4-3. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for follow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow
Verb
  • During the month of May in the city of San Diego, only 128 out of 2,216 requests for shelter succeeded, largely because facilities are full.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Whether this approach will succeed depends on how effectively the state can balance stability, flexibility, and innovation in the years ahead.
    Luciano Duque, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • More Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Newsweek Geopolitical Shifts Jaishankar said the United States is bringing about a global change with a shift away from alliances and in which countries pursue their own interests more individualistically.
    Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Clear federal rules and regulations for issuing stablecoins will massively boost credibility and allow America’s largest enterprises to participate and pursue technological innovations that could improve customer retention, reduce costs, and streamline processes and payments.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Guevara had warrants issued for his arrest in connection with charges of distracted driving, failing to obey a traffic control device and reckless driving, which were secured by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on June 20.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Discipline, on the other hand, is the process of training yourself to obey a set of rules and requires regulation of attention, emotion and behavior.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County offers for loan two lightweight, all-terrain wheelchairs, each designed to traverse dirt, gravel, grass, snow and mud, spokeswoman Beth Schirott said.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
  • By definition, anybody attempting to move through Venice will meet some, or several, bodies of water to be traversed.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Fellow Republican Bush also appeared in the recorded message with a rebuke of Trump’s efforts, noting that the cuts will drastically impact the landmark AIDS/HIV program started in his administration that is credited with saving tens of millions of lives globally.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 July 2025
  • President Trump clapped back early Tuesday, noting the enormous federal subsidies Musk's various companies receive from the government and suggesting that the Department of Government Efficiency — which Musk led before stepping down late May — look into any spending flowing into Musk's empire.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • This is a time to sit back, observe, and reevaluate your resources carefully before taking any big risks.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Collectors take note: Strauss observed that of all the suites, items for the Dynasty era were the hardest to find.
    Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Before the referee had even dropped the whistle from his mouth, Erling Haaland galloped onto the pitch with a coach clearly tasked with readying him to replace Omar Marmoush at the break.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • René Lacoste, for example, is credited as the inventor of the short-sleeved piqué polo, which came to replace the traditional tennis whites among more serious players.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The hydraulic anti-roll can get slightly upset on bumpy roads, however, as a friend chasing me on a liter bike noted on a Malibu pullout.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Each morning, a small herd of bulls runs through the village streets, chasing thousands of participants clad in all white with red scarves.
    Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/follow. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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