posthumously

adverb

post·​hu·​mous·​ly ˈpäs-chə-məs-lē How to pronounce posthumously (audio)
also -tə-
-tyə-
-thə-;
päst-ˈhyü-məs-
ˈpōst-
-ˈyü-
: after the death of the person in question
a book published posthumously
a medal awarded posthumously
Plath's magnificent Ariel, written mostly during the final months of her life and assembled posthumously by Hughes, takes the notion of confessional poetry to verbal and imaginative extremes.Christopher Benfey
Flannery O'Connor united both traditions and is duly, albeit posthumously, celebrated.Walker Percy

Examples of posthumously in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Published posthumously in 2013, the subsequent Work and Structure became a literary phenomenon in Germany and is now regarded as one of the defining works of contemporary German literature. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 The memoir, published posthumously in 2013, became a literary phenomenon in Germany. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Unlike its serious counterpart, the Nobel Prizes, the Ig Nobel Prizes may be awarded posthumously. Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Past recipients include the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia, who received the award posthumously. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for posthumously

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of posthumously was in 1754

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Cite this Entry

“Posthumously.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/posthumously. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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