FOLLOWING Synonyms: 238 Similar and Opposite Words

following 1 of 4

adjective

ˈfä-lə-wiŋ

Definition of following

as in next

being the one that comes immediately after another the following morning, I found the cat was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

2 of 4

noun

as in entourage

a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person a prince with a large following to do practically everything for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in audience

a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film) that rock star attracts quite a following

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in pursuit

the act of going after or in the tracks of another took part in the following of the coyote

Synonyms & Similar Words

following

3 of 4

preposition

as in after

subsequent to in time or order following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

4 of 4

verb

present participle of follow

as in succeeding

to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pursuing

to go after or on the track of let's follow the boys to their hiding place

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obeying

to act according to the commands of follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traversing

to make one's way through, across, or over followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in noting

to take notice of and be guided by don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in watching

to keep one's eyes on stood on the platform and followed the departing train until it disappeared from sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of following

Adjective

In a following slide, Lively called out Stoney Clover, which held a three-day pop-up event in New York City in celebration of the Knicks making it to the Finals. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 Despite Sanders' criticism, the gravy continues to have a loyal following decades later. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Noun

But having grossed almost $700 million and gained a committed fan following, this is a much less self-serious blockbuster that deserves to face off against The Odyssey. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The blog got picked up by a larger Brooklyn real estate website, Brownstoner, and developed a dedicated online following of architecture enthusiasts and aspiring DIYers. — Sophie Caldwell,valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Preposition

Campbell appeared emotional following Wednesday’s hearing. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 New York City's LaGuardia Airport reopened Monday following Sunday night's runway crash. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

Jayendu Krishna, a director at Drewry Maritime Advisors, said none of the major container shipping lines had resumed services through Hormuz since suspending operations following the outbreak of the war in February. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Her party is already the largest opposition party in parliament, and a snap legislative election following the presidential vote could entrench it further. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for following

Recent Examples of Synonyms for following

Adjective

The government also promised 15,000 additional places in higher education, introduced across the next two years, and increases in student grants linked to inflation from the start of the next academic year.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The Roc Nation chief will perform at the event for the first time for next year’s Super Bowl LXI.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of next

Noun

Our mission is to take bold Asian stories to audiences worldwide, and a family film told through the world’s most popular sport is built to travel.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
For a brand now selling to a mass audience rather than early adopters, waiting for proof can be the safer bet.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of audience

Noun

Not every worthwhile pursuit needs to become productive, profitable, or impressive.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
Kikuchi makes Haru’s occasionally mortifying romantic pursuit both funny and affecting, embracing the character’s impulsive, sometimes ridiculous behavior without diminishing the depth of her loss.

— Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of pursuit

Preposition

The latest push to end the practice began in June after an 18-year-old Indian tourist, Romanch Mahajan, died after jumping from a runaway carriage.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Jeffries will campaign with Johnny Garcia, who’s running a competitive race in one of those seats where Republicans initially expected an easier pickup (after already forcing one longtime Democratic incumbent to retire).

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of after

Verb

While most have never been rolled out to the public, one low-tech micro-transit project has been quietly succeeding in filing in some public transportation gaps and getting people around their neighborhoods — for free.

— Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Saunders was there for one season, succeeding Mike Hancock, who resigned while citing anxiety, grief and depression in the wake of a 2024 school shooting that left two students and two educators dead.

— Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of succeeding

Verb

While countries like Sweden and France are pursuing similar deep geological repositories, Finland has officially crossed the finish line first.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
The Mustangs were pursuing three consecutive titles in 2026 when they were removed at the start of the playoffs for using an ineligible player.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of pursuing

Verb

People are riding e-bikes and e-motorcycles, sometimes riding recklessly, traveling at high speeds, or not obeying the rules of the road.

— Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
The department reminds motorists to drive cautiously through the area, obeying posted speed limit and road work signage.

— Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register, 19 July 2026

Definition of obeying

Browse Nearby Words

followership

following

followings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of following

adjective

noun

preposition

verb

Example Sentences

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