thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce thereafter (audio)
Synonyms of thereafternext
1
: after that
2
archaic : according to that : accordingly

Synonyms of thereafter

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Examples of thereafter in a Sentence

Thereafter, the two companies operated in full partnership. gave his farewell speech and left the room shortly thereafter
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Promising second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton tore his ACL on the first day of training camp and was shortly thereafter pronounced out for the season. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 The movement thereafter played a prominent role in protests across the United States and in other countries, particularly in the wake of the murders of Eric Garner in 2014 and George Floyd in 2020. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The two of them agreed on the terms in August 2025, and the police department began gathering the records shortly thereafter. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026 Shortly thereafter, a second victim arrived at an area hospital seeking treatment for gunshot injuries, according to police. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thereafter

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thereafter was before the 12th century

Rhymes for thereafter

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Browse Nearby Words

the ready
thereafter
thereagainst
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Cite this Entry

“Thereafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thereafter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb
there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər How to pronounce thereafter (audio)
t͟he-
: after that
it was returned shortly thereafter
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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