THEREAFTER Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

thereafter

adverb

t͟her-ˈaf-tər

Definition of thereafter

as in later

following in time or place gave his farewell speech and left the room shortly thereafter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 thereafter The two shared a kiss as Aladdin and Jasmine in an October 2021 sketch and began dating shortly thereafter. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Shortly thereafter, police located Charles Cosmos of Wolcott and charged him in the theft, according to Krajewski. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 Even after the game, Riley apparently wasn’t aware that Stephens was soon on the sideline thereafter shown on NBC’s broadcast, not kneeling respectfully or exhibiting concern, but smiling and dapping up teammates. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Some 40,000 more died days later in Nagasaki, and tens of thousands more from radiation illnesses in the days, weeks, months and years thereafter. — Scott Simon, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thereafter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thereafter

Adverb

But anyone who’s yet to see the earlier series need not fret; while Seven Havens makes reference especially to Korra, any crucial details are reestablished within a narrative that’s set nearly two centuries later and stands largely on its own.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
As Melinda points out later, Flora is a pawn of Carla’s and Morgan’s in every respect.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of later

Adverb

Samuel, or Samuil in Bulgarian, was a warrior emperor who battled the Byzantine Empire to expand his kingdom but was ultimately defeated and died shortly afterward in 1014.

— COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
For scientists, the harder question has been how oxygen stayed abundant for millions of years afterward — long enough, as ancient rocks suggest, to set the stage for the emergence of increasingly complex life.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of afterward

Adverb

Those cities also saw declines in sales after, but Beverly Hills and West Hollywood saw a smaller impact than Santa Monica did, with a 10% to 15% decline compared with prepandemic levels by the end of 2025.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Ellison’s Skydance bought out Paramount for $8 billion just last year, and set its sights on Warner — an even bigger fish — very soon after.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of after

Browse Nearby Words

thereabouts

thereafter

therefore

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Thereafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thereafter. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of thereafter

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes