1 afterward | Definition of afterward

afterward

adverb
af·​ter·​ward | \ ˈaf-tÉ™r-wÉ™rd How to pronounce afterward (audio) , ˈaf-tÉ™-\
variants: or afterwards \ ˈaf-​tÉ™r-​wÉ™rdz How to pronounce afterwards (audio) , ˈaf-​tÉ™-​ \

Definition of afterward

: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter found out about it long afterward

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Synonyms & Antonyms for afterward

Synonyms

after, later, latterly, subsequently, thereafter

Antonyms

afore [chiefly dialect], ahead, antecedently, anteriorly, before, beforehand, earlier, previously

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Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward. Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Former British prime minister Theresa May busted out some awkward dance moves in South Africa, while Germany’s Angela Merkel toured Senegal and Ghana just days afterward. Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa, "Inside China’s growing presence in Africa," 29 Aug. 2019 The woman had passed away, and her husband lived there afterward. Boston.com Real Estate, "From creepy to cool: Buyers are finding unusual things hidden in their homes," 28 Aug. 2019 Shortly afterward, Fluhr was promoted to district director of the Los Angeles bureau. AZCentral.com, "Don Bolles files: The case of Skippy Brazil, the drug informant who was set on fire," 28 Aug. 2019 Expect swelling, mild bruising, and tenderness for up to a week afterward (the bruising can be covered with concealer). April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes," 26 Aug. 2019 People want to stay and talk afterward, sometimes for an hour, two hours. Ben Crandell, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Can Zack Gottsagen, a Boynton Beach actor with Down syndrome, change Hollywood?," 7 Aug. 2019 Even so, Democrats flexed their muscle and the House voted afterward by party line to leave Pelosi's words intact in the record. Alan Fram, Fortune, "These Are the 4 Republicans Who Voted to Condemn Trump’s Tweets," 17 July 2019 Soon afterward, Greenberg emailed images of houses in the neighborhood to his colleagues at Tel Aviv University, hoping to build support for a joint statement against the tunneling. Rachel Poser, Harper's magazine, "Common Ground," 19 Aug. 2019 Elena Delle Donne made a three at the 6:34 mark and the Mystics proceeded to drill almost every shot afterward and send Twitter into an absolute meltdown. Kellen Becoats, SI.com, "A Masked Mystic, an Unreal Offense and a Balanced Roster Make Washington Dominant," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afterward.' 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 afterward

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for afterward

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

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More Definitions for afterward

afterward

adverb
af·​ter·​ward | \ ˈaf-tÉ™r-wÉ™rd How to pronounce afterward (audio) \
variants: or afterwards \ -​wÉ™rdz \

Kids Definition of afterward

: at a later time He found out the truth long afterward.

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