FOLLOWS Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

follows

verb

present tense third-person singular of follow

as in replaces

to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pursues

to go after or on the track of let's follow the boys to their hiding place

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obeys

to act according to the commands of follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traverses

to make one's way through, across, or over followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in notes

to take notice of and be guided by don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in observes

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

winks
blinks

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 follows The investigation also follows a lawsuit Attorney General Ken Paxton filed against a Houston-area postpartum care center. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026 The certification from DarkSky International follows Sun Valley Resort’s focus on limiting artificial light on the mountain and growing public awareness around light pollution. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026 The grand finale performances of the 2026 edition of the World Cup follows the opening ceremonies and performances from the likes of Katy Perry and Tyla, among others, which took place in June. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 July 2026 Connecticut follows federal law and takes its obligations under federal law very seriously. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026 While Deliverance follows more or less in the footsteps of Blackwater Park, Damnation digs into a strange new realm for the band, uncovering something even darker. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026 This approach follows a formula that is proving quite successful for the streamer. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026 And therefore, the theory follows, the viewer needs to be guided by ‘foreign’ voices. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 18 July 2026 Like the book, the movie follows Greek king Odysseus (Matt Damon), who spends 10 years at war and another decade lost at sea, encountering cyclops, sirens and giants along the way. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for follows

Verb

Leach replaces Esperanza interim coach Nick Heinle, who took the helm for JP Presley in late June just before the start of summer camp.

— Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
The platform replaces disjointed, manual procedures with a single, adaptable system that facilitates real-time coordination between brands, suppliers, retailers, third-party inspection service providers and even testing labs.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Definition of replaces

Verb

The property now serves as a home for families while a parent pursues education or vocational training.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 14 July 2026
The person who isn't a professional military officer, pursues a broad, deep, public professional career, and yet dawns the uniform an serves his nation.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2026

Definition of pursues

Verb

Completed in 2010, the bridge traverses extensive agricultural land and urban areas, allowing trains to bypass road crossings while maintaining high operating speeds.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
The ride traverses nearly 1,000 miles across Indiana over 13 days, stopping in communities to meet with survivors, those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, and visit memorials and gravesites.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026

Definition of traverses

Verb

As Scott Manley notes in a recent video, cooling is the most significant issue that would-be space data center operators must solve.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Deadline also notes that Sam Elliott and Andy Garcia would factor into future salary negotiations, since they were added to the main cast in season 2.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of notes

Verb

Within the laws of quantum mechanics, the results are not fixed until someone observes them.

— Aldo Romero, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
The film cuts to a crematorium, where a child observes a shelf full of urns for people whose remains were never picked up by their relatives.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of observes

Verb

One by one, suitors including the devious Antinous (Robert Pattinson) fail at the challenge, until Odysseus volunteers and succeeds with ease.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Those responsibilities are important, but the team also plays a role in determining whether the transition succeeds.

— Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of succeeds

Verb

Seconds later, Bella, an 11-year-old husky, jumps in and chases the bear across the driveway and away from the child.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Tired of spending his days simply delighting in psychological torture and revenge, Lestat publicly chases the life of a famous rock star, writing and producing an album and performing in a cross-country tour while maintaining a fake vampire persona.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026