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subsequent

adjective
sub·​se·​quent | \ ˈsəb-si-kwənt How to pronounce subsequent (audio) , -sə-ˌkwent\

Definition of subsequent

: following in time, order, or place subsequent events a subsequent clause in the treaty
Other Words from subsequent Synonyms & Antonyms Subsequent vs. Consequent More Example Sentences Learn More about subsequent

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Other Words from subsequent

subsequent noun

Subsequent vs. Consequent

The English language has many ways to indicate that something has come after another thing, but a number of these words have subtle differences that you may want to observe.

Something is subsequent if it follows something else in time, order, or place. Its meaning is very similar to that of following or later, but it has a more formal tone to it and may imply that something not only follows but in some way grows out of or is otherwise closely connected with what precedes it (“their courtship and subsequent marriage”).

Consequent may also be used of something that follows, but that does so explicitly as a result of something else (“I said an insensitive thing and the consequent argument lasted for days”).

There may be occasions when either subsequent or consequent would work ("her wounding and subsequent [or consequent] loss of blood"); your choice in such cases would depend upon whether you want to stress the order of events or the causal relationship between one event and another.

Examples of subsequent in a Sentence

Her subsequent account of her ordeal, "The Upstairs Room" (1972), was a young adult tour de force, winning a Newbery Honor and other awards. Compared with Anne Frank's "Diary of a Young Girl," it is sparer and sterner. — Leslie Garis, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009 In the past, collectors would often hand over partial ownership of a painting—usually from 10% to 20%—and take a tax deduction for an equivalent percentage of the appraised value. The write-off on subsequent donations could rise each time the painting's value grew. Donors got a tax break, and museums got the art to exhibit for a period of time each year. Many such paintings were ultimately bequeathed to the museums. — Jeanne McDowell, Time, 20 Nov. 2006 In 1991, the Nurses' Health Study found that women receiving hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin) enjoyed a big (44 percent) reduction in the risk of coronary artery disease, and millions of women were encouraged to begin the therapy to counteract the effects of menopause. But in 2002, the Women's Health Initiative produced a radically different conclusion: Hormone therapy increases the risk of coronary events in post-menopausal women by 20 percent. A subsequent study confirmed that result. — Wilson Quarterly, Autumn 2005 The rate of population growth reached a peak in 1999 and declined in subsequent years. Her work had a great influence on subsequent generations. Subsequent studies confirmed their findings. his arrest and subsequent conviction
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Their careers have gotten off to a rocky start because of the financial crisis and Great Recession in 2007-9 and the ensuing slow (but steady) recovery over the subsequent few years. — oregonlive.com, "Millennials’ retirement prospects are grim, requiring action from political leaders now: study," 20 Aug. 2019 Hillenburg’s subsequent years seem like an attempt to recapture the summery bliss of life pre-SpongeBob. — Darryn King, Longreads, "The Young Man and the Sea Sponge," 13 Aug. 2019 Republican donors have boasted about padding her campaign coffers to help ensure Williamson qualifies for subsequent debates and sucks up valuable air time. — Will Weissert, Fortune, "Marianne Williamson Rides Stream of Consciousness to Debate Spotlight," 31 July 2019 Detectives were able to determine which group started the confrontation and subsequent shooting. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "2 charged in Center Point shooting that left 3 injured," 14 July 2019 Those moments fell flat and have not attracted much subsequent debate within the party. — Tyler Cowen, Twin Cities, "Tyler Cowen: Marianne Williamson is just what the Democratic Party needs," 5 July 2019 Eight Navy sailors suffered minor injuries during the collision and the subsequent running aground. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Norway Will Scrap Sunken Frigate," 24 June 2019 However, the subsequent raises U of L planned for haven't been provided yet. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, "'This is not what you worked so hard for': Salary woes, no raises hurting morale at U of L," 19 June 2019 That means rose-quartz gua sha tools to gently massage and sculpt the face, and a velvet pillow (hand-tinted with botanical dyes) for subsequent lounging. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "The Best Beauty Gifts for Your Horoscope-Obsessed Friend by Astrological Sign," 13 Dec. 2018

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

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for subsequent

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsequent-, subsequens, present participle of subsequi to follow close, from sub- near + sequi to follow — more at sub-, sue

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More Definitions for subsequent

subsequent

adjective
How to pronounce subsequent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of subsequent

formal : happening or coming after something else

See the full definition for subsequent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

subsequent

adjective
sub·​se·​quent | \ ˈsəb-si-kwənt How to pronounce subsequent (audio) \

Kids Definition of subsequent

: following in time, order, or place subsequent events

Other Words from subsequent

subsequently adverb

subsequent

adjective
sub·​se·​quent | \ ˈsəb-si-kwənt, -ˌkwent How to pronounce subsequent (audio) \

Legal Definition of subsequent

: following in time, order, or space — see also condition subsequent at condition — compare precedent

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