Synonyms of following

following 1 of 4

adjective

ˈfä-lə-wiŋ 

as in next

being the one that comes immediately after another

the following morning, I found the cat was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• next
• ensuing
• coming
• second
• succeeding
• subsequent
• on deck
• successive
• consecutive
• sequential
• posterior
• immediate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• previous
• prior
• foregoing
• precedent
• former
• preceding
• past
• last
• antecedent
• anterior

following

2 of 4

noun

1

as in entourage

a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person

a prince with a large following to do practically everything for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entourage
• suite
• crew
• staff
• posse
• personnel
• train
• tail
• retinue
• cortege
• court
• assistant
• helper
• attendant
• retainer

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

• audience
• cult
• followership
• discipleship
• fandom

3

as in pursuit

the act of going after or in the tracks of another

took part in the following of the coyote

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursuit
• tracking
• tracing
• search
• trailing
• pursuing
• chasing
• tailing
• tagging
• shadowing
• chase
• hounding
• dogging
• hot pursuit
• trail
• track
• path
• seeking
• tagging along

following

3 of 4

preposition

as in after

subsequent to in time or order

following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

Synonyms & Similar Words

• after
• behind
• below
• past
• since
• après
• next to

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• of
• before
• prior to
• previous to
• to
• ahead of
• toward
• afore
• ere

following

4 of 4

verb

present participle of follow

1

as in succeeding

to come after in time

a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

• succeeding
• replacing
• superseding
• ensuing
• supervening
• postdating
• supplanting
• displacing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• preceding
• antedating
• predating

2

as in pursuing

to go after or on the track of

let's follow the boys to their hiding place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursuing
• chasing
• tracking
• accompanying
• tracing
• escorting
• trailing
• tagging
• tailing
• running after
• hounding
• shadowing
• watching
• dogging
• coursing
• running
• seeking
• hunting
• bird-dogging
• observing
• searching (for)
• eyeing
• chaperoning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leading
• guiding
• heading
• piloting

3

as in obeying

to act according to the commands of

follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obeying
• observing
• conforming (to)
• adhering (to)
• complying (with)
• keeping to
• regarding
• abiding by
• hearing
• goose-stepping (to)
• falling in with
• watching
• minding
• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• surrendering (to)
• taking
• deferring (to)
• attending
• agreeing (to)
• noticing
• acceding (to)
• heeding
• listening (to)
• noting
• assenting (to)
• marking
• acquiescing (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defying
• leading
• disobeying
• challenging
• refusing
• daring
• directing
• rebelling (against)
• ignoring
• renouncing
• repudiating
• disregarding
• dismissing
• passing over
• brushing (off)
• violating
• overlooking
• breaking
• winking (at)
• tuning out
• disobliging
• opposing
• mocking
• breaching
• fighting
• shrugging off
• infringing
• resisting
• transgressing
• deriding
• flouting
• contesting
• withstanding
• combating
• scorning
• scoffing (at)
• bucking
• disputing
• overpassing
• revolting (against)
• pooh-poohing
• mutinying (against)

4

as in traversing

to make one's way through, across, or over

followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traversing
• crossing
• navigating
• walking
• covering
• traveling
• tracking
• passing (over)
• cutting (across)
• proceeding (along)
• riding
• transiting
• hiking
• going
• coursing
• peregrinating
• perambulating
• treading
• running
• tramping
• traipsing
• crisscrossing

5

as in noting

to take notice of and be guided by

don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noting
• regarding
• obeying
• observing
• considering
• listening (to)
• respecting
• watching
• heeding
• hearing
• contemplating
• keeping
• weighing
• pondering
• seeing
• conforming (to)
• noticing
• mulling
• complying (with)
• attending (to)
• minding
• marking
• hearkening (to)
• harking (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• disregarding
• dismissing
• neglecting
• tuning out
• passing over
• discounting
• brushing (aside or off)
• glossing (over)
• scorning
• defying
• shrugging off
• flouting
• pooh-poohing
• glozing (over)
• snubbing
• slighting

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

• watching
• observing
• eyeing
• viewing
• regarding
• looking
• seeing
• staring
• having one's eye on
• monitoring
• studying
• gazing
• beholding
• goggling
• glaring
• perceiving
• looking on
• waking
• peering
• gaping
• gawking
• guarding
• warding
• spying
• rubbernecking
• glimpsing
• peeping
• glancing
• peeking
• espying
• bird-dogging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• winking
• blinking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of following

Adjective

Despite Sanders' criticism, the gravy continues to have a loyal following decades later. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Key Background Hamilton was a former GOP congressional candidate in Virginia, and grew a following online for his criticisms of the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

Noun

Expert thought leaders increasingly move the needle beyond just influencers with big followings. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2026

America's favorite and least favorite beers Some beers have strong followings nationwide, while others seem to be less popular choices. — Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Preposition

Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

New York City's LaGuardia Airport reopened Monday following Sunday night's runway crash. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

Nick Pope remains on the books, though Aaron Ramsdale returned to Southampton following his loan. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Now his focus is on following in his parents’ footsteps working with the Children’s Institute, an organization that supports children and families. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026