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.
Staff need procedures for accessing essential information, recording activity, receiving updates and reconciling records afterward. — Aliasgar Dohadwala, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Last weekend's loss was ugly enough that speculation started immediately afterward that Sam Darnold might be in danger of losing his starting job to Drew Lock. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Not long afterward, Rau finally got in touch and told Frei to call an ambulance. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Cells from a pregnancy can remain in a person’s body for years afterward, whether the pregnancy lasted four days or 40 weeks. — Katherine Pukinskis, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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
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