follow-through

1 of 2

noun

fol·​low-through ˈfä-lō-ˌthrü 

ˌfä-lō-ˈthrü, 

-lə-

1

: the part of the stroke following the striking of a ball

2

: the act or an instance of following through

follow through

2 of 2

verb

followed through; following through; follows through

intransitive verb

1

: to continue a stroke or motion to the end of its arc

2

: to press on in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

Synonyms of follow-through

Verb

• fulfill
• perform
• accomplish
• achieve
• execute
• go through
• do
• put through
• carry out
• make
• implement

Examples of follow-through in a Sentence

Verb

you said you would put all of the files in order, but you didn't follow through with it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s no documentation at this point, though, of the follow-through that routinely comes after a report — notification to the child’s family, an interview of the minor or a notification to police. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Conversely, sustainable uptrends are characterized by successful bullish breakouts, where pushes through resistance lead to additional upside follow-through. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

Foreign counterparts have confidence that Gulf countries will implement their side of any bargain because political power is centralized enough for leaders to ensure that state bureaucracies follow through. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Filipetti cautioned that regardless of whether Moscow intends to follow through, nuclear threats themselves carry risks. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for follow-through

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

follow through

verb

1

: to complete a stroke or swing

2

: to continue in an activity or process especially to a conclusion

follow through with a study

follow-through

ˈfäl-ō-ˌthrü, 

ˌfäl-ō-ˈthrü, 

-ə-

noun