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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Jackson's following pass to Chris Dawn Jr., which would've been a touchdown, is long.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
Others have used their large followings to promote suspects or theories of the case not rooted in evidence.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 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
Ed Meza, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Leader of the conservative Primero Justicia party, Guanipa was among several high-profile political prisoners freed on Sunday, in the latest effort from Caracas to satisfy US demands following Washington’s ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.
—Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
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
Jackson's following pass to Chris Dawn Jr., which would've been a touchdown, is long.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Partnering with denim heads, particularly ones with an online following, has become an authentic and transparent way for these companies to communicate their new novelties and innovations to the end consumer.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
Others have used their large followings to promote suspects or theories of the case not rooted in evidence.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 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
The production is being revised following the ÖFI Plus cuts but the film will likely still shoot in Austria.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Leader of the conservative Primero Justicia party, Guanipa was among several high-profile political prisoners freed on Sunday, in the latest effort from Caracas to satisfy US demands following Washington’s ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.
—Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
The second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program will take place next week in Geneva, Switzerland, according to multiple reports.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX has three more launches scheduled from Vandenberg this month, the next expected to take place Wednesday, according to the company’s site.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An imperious figure with a tendency to grandstand, Yermak feuded with a succession of Western diplomats and just about everyone in Zelensky’s entourage.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Naumov’s entourage included his godmother, Gretta Bogdan, and his longtime friends, the Petrenko brothers, Daniel and Anton.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In practice, effective communications require careful judgment about timing, audience, power dynamics and consequences before a single sentence is released.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Paintbox, the brand’s signature kid’s program, includes educational (animal print tracking) and active (obstacle courses) outdoor pursuits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
However, rights groups say implementation, transparency in releases and broader reforms will determine its lasting impact on Venezuela’s pursuit of peace and democratic coexistence.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Preposition
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Hours after her post, deputies assigned to the Salton City sheriff’s station responded to a call about the discovery of human remains in Salton City.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The activities ushered in the Year of the Horse, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, succeeding the Year of the Snake.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to Martens at Margiela, Simone Bellotti joined Jil Sander, succeeding Luke and Lucie Meier, and Meryll Rogge arrived at Marni, succeeding Francesco Risso.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors have had the chance to enroll directly in a calculus class with extra support in the form of a concurrent class.—
Tammi Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For many student athletes in attendance, Jones’ message of finding one’s voice as a female athlete and pursuing a dream in sports deeply resonated.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Writing isn’t about compiling a list of rules and then obeying them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
If money talks, there clearly was a feeling George violated the letter of the law by obeying the spirit of her profession.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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