afterword

noun

af·​ter·​word ˈaf-tər-ˌwərd How to pronounce afterword (audio)
Synonyms of afterwordnext
: epilogue sense 1

Synonyms of afterword

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Examples of afterword in a Sentence

The novel has a foreword by an eminent critic and an afterword by the author herself. the author included an afterword about developments in cancer treatment since the book was written
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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.
In an afterword, there are biographies of people well known to us (and some forgotten) who played a part in our city’s history. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026 In the afterword to his novel, Volkov addresses his young readers directly. — Christin Bohnke, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025 In the life of a Witch, there is no ‘after’ in the ‘ever after’ of a Witch there is no ‘happily;’ in the story of a Witch, there is no afterword. — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2025 Thrilled to Death collects a career-spanning selection of her short stories starting from the early ’90s, with an afterword by Lucy Sante. — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afterword

Word History

Etymology

after- + word entry 1

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterword was in 1890

Rhymes for afterword

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Browse Nearby Words

afterwit
afterword
afterwork
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Cite this Entry

“Afterword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterword. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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