afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd 

ˈaf-tə-

variants or afterwards

ˈaf-tər-wərdz 

ˈaf-tə-

: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter

found out about it long afterward

Synonyms

• after
• later
• latterly
• subsequently
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

That means Ramadan will end when the crescent moon is sighted for the first time in the hours and days afterward. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Not long afterward, he got terrorized by Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher (1986), which has become a cult classic. —Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025

He was arrested about two months afterward and charged with selling alcohol to an intoxicated person. —Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025

Research published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that romantic partners who coped with conflict by disengaging — through avoidance, withdrawal or denial—exhibited stronger physiological stress responses and slower recovery afterward. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd 

variants or afterwards

-wərdz 

: at a later time