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
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Recent Examples of following
Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Serena Williams and Meghan Markle's Friendship Timeline Lilibet appeared alongside Williams in a following post as the pair continued to play Candy Land while Meghan, dressed in a loose-fitting navy-blue top and pants, watched.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 June 2025
With travel and quarantine restrictions, many Chinese urbanites headed outside of cities, fuelling a rural tourism boom, while influencers like Li Ziqi drew large followings to their posts about the idyllic countryside.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
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
Adjective
Cassie appeared with her baby bump in a following close-up shot as Fine’s hands cradled her stomach.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Serena Williams and Meghan Markle's Friendship Timeline Lilibet appeared alongside Williams in a following post as the pair continued to play Candy Land while Meghan, dressed in a loose-fitting navy-blue top and pants, watched.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
Sports teams looking to boost their social followings just need to do one thing: sign LeBron James.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 June 2025
With travel and quarantine restrictions, many Chinese urbanites headed outside of cities, fuelling a rural tourism boom, while influencers like Li Ziqi drew large followings to their posts about the idyllic countryside.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 10 June 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
-
For Lillard, for Tatum — and now, quite probably, for Haliburton — the issues will linger into next season or rob of them of the chance to play in 2025-26 entirely.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Both cardboard and newspaper will break down during the growing season and can be tilled under with mulch before the next planting season.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
His manager and business partner T.J. and Moonie, his stylist, are there; so are Sheba and Lisa Hyper, two of his day-ones who were part of his entourage during our interview.—
Natalie Meade,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
-
For approximately 15 minutes, West, his entourage, and Combs' son were alone in the overflow room with four court officers.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
On June 2, before a raucous audience of roughly 100 friends, family, and alums, the students graduated as actual drag performers.—
David Mack,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
-
If approved, the music hall will accommodate an audience of 728 people and a stage big enough to support a symphony orchestra, according to MYAC CEO Allen Dennis.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
But the relentless pursuit of perfection would eventually derail her health and fertility.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
-
Two hours later, the pursuit ended with Boelter crawling to police.—
Nathan Layne,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
Preposition
-
The sense of relief for Wales after qualifying, at last, for their first major women’s tournament is palpable and powerful.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
Creative liberties Harry went to the doctor after experiencing two symptoms (played for cringey laughs from viewers).—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
27 June 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
-
With such an unstable organization, this could dissuade Vrabel from pursuing a head-coaching gig with New York.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Meanwhile the Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort has 178 rooms, suites and villas; a rooftop bar with ocean views; and a spa and fitness center.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
The state-of-the-art stadium includes a two-tier seating bowl with an elevated main concourse, sideline balconies with clubs, suites, and a press box, and a tensile cable canopy roof.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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