as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another
the following morning, I found the cat was gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in audience
a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film)
that rock star attracts quite a following
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in succeeding
to come after in time
a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pursuing
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 obeying
to act according to the commands of
follow me, and you'll do OK
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in traversing
to make one's way through, across, or over
followed the path into the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noting
to take notice of and be guided by
don't follow his advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in watching
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.
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Recent Examples of following
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Carton was a quintessential sports-media success story, having leveraged his bombastic New York morning show, Boomer and Carton, into a national following, as well as a book deal and a lucrative TV gig.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Off-White, following a show in New York last season, will make its return to the Paris calendar on March 5.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
If the measure passes, violators would face penalties under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, including an up to $10,000 fine for a first offense and a $25,000 fine for any following offenses.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Interior designer, creative director, founder of Studio Athena Calderone, writer of lifestyle website Eyeswoon, and now AD’s April cover star, Athena Calderone has cultivated a substantial following through her distinct, sophisticated POV.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Carton was a quintessential sports-media success story, having leveraged his bombastic New York morning show, Boomer and Carton, into a national following, as well as a book deal and a lucrative TV gig.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Preposition
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office released the video on Tuesday afternoon following day 6 of hearings to determine if evidence will be excluded from Mangione's trial.
—Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Regional anger grows over strikes The war toll on civilian targets grew as Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant vital to drinking water supplies, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight Israeli strikes.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Off-White, following a show in New York last season, will make its return to the Paris calendar on March 5.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
So Holland decided draft picks for next season and the season after were more valuable than immediate help this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And to Smith, there’s no use in Charlotte getting ahead of itself — particularly with Lionel Messi coming to town next week.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the man was confronted by an MMA fighter, a Russian YouTuber and their camera-carrying entourage, who were livestreaming the interaction to thousands of viewers online.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The logs showed that Clinton and his entourage had taken four international trips in 2002 and 2003 on the financier's Boeing 727 to locations including Bangkok, Brunei, Rwanda, Russia, China and elsewhere.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The four characters sit on chairs, facing the audience.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
For example, most of the country will get the Red Sox at Yankees on June 6, but select audiences in the Midwest and South will get the Cleveland Guardians versus the Texas Rangers instead.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to police, Matuszewski allegedly engaged police in a pursuit, driving recklessly and failing to stay his lane.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The possibility of embracing al fresco living via these outdoor kitchen ideas is an exciting pursuit; consider options like firing up the grilling station, utilizing a stylish pizza oven, or enjoying a meal under a pergola along with friends and family.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Preposition
-
Global art markets saw modest growth in 2025 after two years of decline — but the recovery is partial and fragile.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Lucy Nicholson | Reuters Oil prices pared gains on Thursday after Brent crude briefly touched $100 a barrel, as attacks were reported on three more cargo ships in the Persian Gulf and traders reacted to the IEA's move to release government stockpiles.—
Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s new supreme leader released his first statement since succeeding his late father, saying Thursday that Iran would keep up its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors and use the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s new supreme leader released his first statement Thursday since succeeding his late father, saying his country would keep up attacks on Gulf Arab neighbors and use the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another lawsuit has challenged whether the legislature had the authority to begin pursuing the redistricting plan prior to the vote on the amendment.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Before Castro began preventing citizens from leaving the country, Cuba’s then-thriving professional leagues had already turned amateur, forcing top players such as Perez and Cárdenas to decide between pursuing their MLB careers or living a rewardless life as stars in Cuba.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The perspective of a military officer forced to choose between obeying orders and listening to his conscience is rarely explored.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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