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later 1 of 2

adverb

ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
Definition of laternext
as in afterward
following in time or place we're going to go to the mall later on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

later

2 of 2

adjective

ˈlā-tər How to pronounce later (audio)
as in subsequent
being, occurring, or carried out at a time after something else the details of the plan will be filled in at a later date

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 later
Adverb
Two former Epsilon employees, Robert Reger and David Lytle, were later convicted. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The two remaining bottles were left unlabeled, though one would later be painted by the Irish artist Michael Dillon. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
And passengers who miss their flights or connections suddenly need seats on later departures that may already be close to full. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 Similar shifts are also underway for later stage clinical trials and the path to earlier approval, coverage, and access. — Scott Gottlieb, STAT, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for later
Recent Examples of Synonyms for later
  1. afterward
  2. subsequent
  3. after
  4. thereafter
Adverb
  • Also remember that anytime suspension components such as lower control arms are replaced, a wheel alignment should be performed afterward to ensure proper tire wear and handling.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors ultimately alleged that Kathryn, Grist and Ellis had lured an unarmed Matthew to the home and that a knife was placed in his hand afterward to make the shooting look like self-defense.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of afterward
Adjective
  • The example shows how SpaceX can recover the booster from a crew launch and prepare it for a subsequent mission, while the spacecraft carrying the astronauts continues on its own.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • After subsequent stints heading up sales at Focus and then The Weinstein Company, Basner created FilmNation in 2008, initially uniquely as a sales company.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of subsequent
Adverb
  • Researchers tracked sleep with a wearable device and measured blood pressure, blood oxygen, arterial stiffness and surface temperature before and after.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • None of the families CBS News spoke to blamed the military for their challenges, but are frustrated with the overall situation — the evacuation and the uncertainty that has come after.
    — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • Curtis became General Manager of the downtown Denver location in 1993, becoming co-owner in 2001 and buying out her partners shortly thereafter to take full control.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In his nine full seasons as the Lakers’ basketball boss, Pelinka constructed the 2020 bubble championship team, but destroyed it soon thereafter and hasn’t won since.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of thereafter

Phrases Containing later

Browse Nearby Words

latent
later
lateral
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Cite this Entry

“Later.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/later. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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