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
His wife and one son joined him, the documents claim, per the outlet, but then Doerman allegedly took his gun and shot his son.
—
Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
The Biden administration restored these disclosures at first, but then suspended them again.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024
His team got credit for being the first across the finish line in the vaccine race—without receiving government funding through Operation Warp Speed in the research and development process—but then was criticized for keeping prices of the shot too high once the pandemic started to wane.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
Erik Thommy made it 3-2, finishing a one-on-one chance, but then came the old storyline that has popped up for Sporting.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Montes says she was placed on administrative leave at first, but then got an email saying she was terminated.
—Dara Kerr, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
In Hindu mythology, a serpent god, Rahu Ketu, wanted to eat the sun — but then his head was cut off.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
Such propaganda campaigns work for a few weeks, but then the conversation around this topic on social media becomes negative, and the Kremlin tries to drive it up again.
—Peter Pomerantsev, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
Fans had been speculating about it for years, particularly after the Wachowskis came out as trans, but then one of them finally said it.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
The Biden administration restored these disclosures at first, but then suspended them again.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024
His team got credit for being the first across the finish line in the vaccine race—without receiving government funding through Operation Warp Speed in the research and development process—but then was criticized for keeping prices of the shot too high once the pandemic started to wane.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
Erik Thommy made it 3-2, finishing a one-on-one chance, but then came the old storyline that has popped up for Sporting.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Montes says she was placed on administrative leave at first, but then got an email saying she was terminated.
—Dara Kerr, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
In Hindu mythology, a serpent god, Rahu Ketu, wanted to eat the sun — but then his head was cut off.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
Such propaganda campaigns work for a few weeks, but then the conversation around this topic on social media becomes negative, and the Kremlin tries to drive it up again.
—Peter Pomerantsev, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
Fans had been speculating about it for years, particularly after the Wachowskis came out as trans, but then one of them finally said it.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'but then.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 12 May. 2024.
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