but then
idiom
1
—used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement
I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.
—sometimes used to introduce an explanation for somethingHis cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.
2
—used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next
The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.
Examples of but then in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Females care for the youngest infants, but then males take over most of the parenting duties as the infants wean and become more physically capable.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Huttle previously pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, but then was among the more than 1,500 defendants pardoned shortly after President Trump’s inauguration last week.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
Parker briefly left, but then returned and demanded a $50 payment for recently washing her car, according to authorities.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Wall Street’s fear gauge — the CBOE Volatility Index — spiked above the 20 handle earlier in the session, but then fell back around 18 as the day wore on.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025
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Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Huttle previously pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, but then was among the more than 1,500 defendants pardoned shortly after President Trump’s inauguration last week.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
Parker briefly left, but then returned and demanded a $50 payment for recently washing her car, according to authorities.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Wall Street’s fear gauge — the CBOE Volatility Index — spiked above the 20 handle earlier in the session, but then fell back around 18 as the day wore on.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for but then
Dictionary Entries Near but then
Cite this Entry
“But then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/but%20then. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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