after-the-fact

adjective

af·​ter-the-fact
: occurring, done, or made after something has happened
after-the-fact approval
an after-the-fact review

Examples of after-the-fact in a Sentence

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.
Schools also have little recourse besides after-the-fact discipline to stop these demonstrations. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026 The states claim the after-the-fact definition is arbitrary, unlawful, and potentially harmful amid a health care worker shortage. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 May 2026 The pipelines themselves remain too dependent on human interpretation and after-the-fact reconstruction. — Vivek Venkatesan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026 Simple acceptance criteria and checklists help ensure consistent decisions and prevent governance from becoming an after-the-fact exercise. — Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for after-the-fact

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of after-the-fact was in 1633

Rhymes for after-the-fact

See All Rhymes for after-the-fact

Browse Nearby Words

after-tax
after-the-fact
after the hour
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“After-the-fact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/after-the-fact. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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