as in finishing
to add to or continue (something) with something similar
She followed up her first book with a sequel.
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Recent Examples of following up
No arrest was made after following up on a lead, however, spokesperson Angelica Carrillo said, according to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
With the world’s only quadruple axel, the 21-year-old Malinin is the overwhelming favorite to win the United States’ second consecutive men’s singles gold medal, following up on Nathan Chen, who won in 2022 but decided not to participate in this year’s Games.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Fears has had a breakout season in his third year at Michigan State, following up a bounce-back season.
—Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-6 Gonzalez checked in for Garza and provided a spark, following up a Pritchard three with a tip-in that made it 112-108.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
However, authorities are following up on leads to make contact.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The main focus of the episode, of course, is following up on the Ken Tucker lead from Steven Droyco.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Fraudsters aren't above sending you a text — and later following up with a phone call to seem authentic, said John Haraburda, robocall data expert and director of product management for Transaction Network Services.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Yes, Chelsea should have put in a challenge, should have tracked Talbi, should have put the game to bed by following up on Garnacho’s opener.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
With the world’s only quadruple axel, the 21-year-old Malinin is the overwhelming favorite to win the United States’ second consecutive men’s singles gold medal, following up on Nathan Chen, who won in 2022 but decided not to participate in this year’s Games.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Fears has had a breakout season in his third year at Michigan State, following up a bounce-back season.
—Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-6 Gonzalez checked in for Garza and provided a spark, following up a Pritchard three with a tip-in that made it 112-108.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
However, authorities are following up on leads to make contact.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The main focus of the episode, of course, is following up on the Ken Tucker lead from Steven Droyco.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Fraudsters aren't above sending you a text — and later following up with a phone call to seem authentic, said John Haraburda, robocall data expert and director of product management for Transaction Network Services.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Yes, Chelsea should have put in a challenge, should have tracked Talbi, should have put the game to bed by following up on Garnacho’s opener.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following up
Verb
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The Italians claimed the gold medal by finishing 4 1/2 seconds faster than the American world record-holders, and that margin was so large that Giovannini pulled his two white-gloved hands together and pressed them to the side of his head at the close, just the way NBA star Curry does.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Just three courses short of finishing his studies at the seminary, Jackson dropped out to pursue a full-time career in civil rights.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Searchers have discovered the wreck of a luxury steamer that sank in a Lake Michigan gale in the late 19th century, completing a quest that began almost 60 years ago.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Hetzel would spend much of his life after completing his secondary education in the Pacific Northwest, practicing his photography.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The galaxies will dissociate and disappear, leaving only isolated masses expanding away from one another, with no energy left to extract.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
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The hotel recently joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as part of the Trademark Collection, expanding its global reach while maintaining its independent spirit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Germany has committed 100 billion euros to modernize its military, and Poland is building up its armed forces with a goal of amassing 300,000 troops.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Each one of the over 300 locations had to be 300 times less likely to fail than if there had been only one, pumping up the design, manufacturing and testing requirements – and inflating the cost.—
Martin Elvis,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
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True, pumping up the dosage can give women an almost euphoric high, Christmas says.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Artificially enlarging their crotch area, either by injecting their genitals with engorging chemicals or stuffing their underwear to create bigger bulges, allows the athletes to alter their suit measurements.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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But the company decided to lift the ban on Instagram filters that alter facial features, such as enlarging a person’s lips or slimming their nose, instead deciding to stop recommending them, Mosseri said.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following%20up. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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