following 1 of 4

as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another the following morning, I found the cat was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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3

following

3 of 4

preposition

as in after
subsequent to in time or order following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
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6

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 following
Adjective
Rogan developed a following first and foremost as a comedian, a mixed-martial-arts personality, and a dude who’s really into galaxy-brain ideas, weird conspiracy theories, and his own beliefs about the world, some of which are noxious. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 The series’ increasing scale and globe-trotting in its following seasons unfortunately resulted in Ryder being sometimes siloed from the main action; so many of her romantic-relationship beats and her obsessive concern for Will feel like regurgitations of her season-one arc. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
Noun
Clark is considered by some to be the Swift of women's basketball — well, at least one teammate — for her ability to draw large crowds and her cult-like following of loyal fans. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 May 2025 It’s earned him a robust following of almost 90,000 retro lovers based in L.A. and all over the country. Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
What To Know For years following the Great Recession, the country built much fewer homes than needed. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Swim in a direction following the shoreline. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
  • The same percentage of employers plan to increase their family health benefits vendors in the next two to three years.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • How will Columbia, over the next fifty years, gradually absorb the student occupation of 2024 into its branding?
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • So, the fact that Viola has her entourage and her followers, and this idea of everyone who’s taken the potion lives within her palace.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 May 2025
  • Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images Donald Trump’s jaunt to the Middle East featured an entourage of billionaire tech bros, a fighter-jet escort, and business deals designed to reshape the global landscape of artificial intelligence.
    Will Knight, Wired News, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Fans in the audience can be heard cheering enthusiastically as Michele transitions from song to song during the seven-song medley.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • The role of the director has increasingly been reduced to that of project manager, the film to a commodity, and the audience to consumers.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • When his then-girlfriend’s educational pursuits brought her to San Diego State University, Heinze decided to follow her and soon got his own teaching credential.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • The announcement from Trump comes after officials from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday to hold direct talks about the pursuit of peace.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 17 May 2025
Preposition
  • If approved, the amendment would require emergency clause votes to take place at least 24 hours after the vote on the accompanying bill.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
  • Fifteen hours after the 911 call, an 8-year-old relative found the three bodies inside the home, their throats slashed ear to ear.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • But battling isn’t the same as succeeding.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • As job roles continue to shift, the professionals who can combine technical knowledge with creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability will be the ones driving change and succeeding in the future of work.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Nebraska is all in on pursuing Millard South tight end Isaac Jensen.
    Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Countries in Africa and the Americas are pursuing an end to river blindness by 2035.
    Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Among the most upmarket guest suites, the Noble Fir Studio King includes a sitting area and modern bathroom with double vanities along with a soaking tub.
    Michelle Gross, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The mission will carry a suite of instruments, the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE).
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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