1 hereafter | Definition of hereafter

hereafter

adverb
here·​af·​ter | \ hir-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce hereafter (audio) \

Definition of hereafter

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : after this in sequence or in time
2 : in some future time or state

hereafter

noun, often capitalized

Definition of hereafter (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : future
2 : an existence beyond earthly life belief in the hereafter

hereafter

adjective

Definition of hereafter (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic
: future

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hereafter

Synonyms: Adverb

henceforth, henceforward

Synonyms: Noun

by-and-by, future, futurity, offing, tomorrow

Antonyms: Noun

past

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Examples of hereafter in a Sentence

Adverb

Hereafter the two companies will operate in full partnership. We don't know what will happen hereafter.

Noun

apologized, for being late to the meeting and assured his boss that there would be no such recurrences in the hereafter hoped to be reunited with his deceased wife in the hereafter
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

The detective won’t forget, not on any Christmas Eve hereafter, his awful duty to carry out a little body as evidence of a felony. Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Speaking for baby Rose: How a Baltimore detective found his purpose investigating child abuse," 6 June 2019 But for some reason, the 25th wing (hereafter, The Phantom Wing) costs only 55 cents. Russell Brandom, The Verge, "The true madness of a viral wing pricing scheme," 28 Oct. 2018 In a special exhibition entitled hereafter, the world’s changing ecosystem is examined in the context of its effect on the living environment. Grace Dickinson, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Flower Show plagued with a history of wet, inclement weather," 2 Mar. 2018 Instead, be nothing but warm and welcoming to his family hereafter, and consider tweaking or outright eliminating items on the wedding agenda that expose these cultural differences. Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "The secret to happiness is self-honesty," 14 Oct. 2017 Our history will appear a gigantic lie hereafter, when we are shrunk again to our own little island. Brooke Allen, WSJ, "The Word From Strawberry Hill," 8 Sep. 2017 Hereafter, the defendant is to avoid guns, individuals who carry guns and gang culture. Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, "With victim's mom by his side, teen takes plea deal for friend's death in gunfight," 8 Aug. 2017 Life is not some temporary staging before the big show hereafter— Michael Shermer, Scientific American, "Why the “You” in an Afterlife Wouldn't Really Be You," 26 June 2017 And, hereafter: Always be mindful of the price point and service level of a restaurant before making demands of the staff. Carolyn Hax, The Seattle Times, "Insulted parents need to learn some dining-out manners," 25 May 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

His life hereafter will be one of slow disintegration. Thrity Umrigar, WSJ, "Five Best: Thrity Umrigar," 16 Aug. 2018 Other stars who have already hit concert stages from the hereafter, or who have digital resurrections in the planning stages, include slain rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, who performed at Coachella in 2012 some 16 years after his death. Howard Cohen, miamiherald, "He's been dead for 30 years. But he's coming in concert to South Florida," 10 July 2018 Like the West Oak Lane hod carrier who in 1925 whacked his coworker with a bundle of bricks, knocking him through a hole in a roof, 12 feet to the ground below, and into the hereafter. Mike Newall, Philly.com, "Locked away in a closet, Philly's historical homicide files tell the story of a young, cruel city | Mike Newall," 22 June 2018 The feast is about destiny and art, and the joy of living in the now rather than sacrificing for the hereafter. Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, "Review: ‘Babette’s Feast’ Is Served, This Time Onstage," 26 Mar. 2018 Death is a permanent break in continuity, and your personal POV cannot be moved from your brain into some other medium, here or in the hereafter. Michael Shermer, Scientific American, "Why the “You” in an Afterlife Wouldn't Really Be You," 1 July 2017 Or does a vast swath of nothingness await in the hereafter? Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "What happens after we die? 'The Afterlives' dares to wonder," 9 Jan. 2018 In the hereafter, Michael sets up narrative threads, matches soul mates together, and tries to make sure everyone is happy eternally. Noah Berlatsky, Washington Post, "TV is showing us the dark side of playing God," 5 Jan. 2018 Some people spend all their lives in that search for the hereafter. Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "TV series helps man reconnect with his past," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hereafter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hereafter

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for hereafter

hereafter

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of hereafter

formal
: after this : from now on
: in a future time or state

hereafter

adverb
here·​af·​ter | \ hir-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce hereafter (audio) \

Kids Definition of hereafter

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : after this We will hereafter have a shorter recess.
2 : in some future time or state We can only guess what will happen hereafter.

hereafter

noun

Kids Definition of hereafter (Entry 2 of 2)

2 : life after death