afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd How to pronounce afterward (audio)
ˈaf-tə-
variants or afterwards
ˈaf-tər-wərdz How to pronounce afterward (audio)
ˈaf-tə-
Synonyms of afterward
: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter
found out about it long afterward

Synonyms of afterward

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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
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.
Elkins had announced the retirement before fight week, calling it his last dance, and laid his gloves in the center of the octagon afterward. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Not long afterward, their ship runs aground on an uncharted island heavily populated by dinosaurs. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026 Her mental health afterward Two forensic psychiatrists testified Monday that Clancy appeared clear-headed and rational in the days after the killings. — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Food does matter in Tony, especially in the exuberant sequence where Tony and the chef and half the town take advantage of a run of striped bass and afterward eat some fish cooked on a fire on the beach. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterward

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterward was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

afterwar
afterward
afterwash
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Cite this Entry

“Afterward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterward. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afterward

adverb
af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd How to pronounce afterward (audio)
variants or afterwards
-wərdz How to pronounce afterward (audio)
: at a later time

More from Merriam-Webster on afterward

Nglish: Translation of afterward for Spanish Speakers

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