thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟her-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after that

2

archaic : according to that : accordingly

Synonyms of thereafter

• later
• afterward
• after

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

When 22-mph winds and a two-hour rain delay arrived shortly thereafter, the players and fans were left with, well, wet socks. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

They were engaged shortly thereafter, followed by an intimate wedding at her mother’s estate in Southampton. —Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

But the market wasn’t long for Sacramento thereafter, with a new owner transforming the building into offices a few years later. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

But shortly thereafter, its nucleus fragments and quickly disintegrates. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for thereafter

• hereinafter
• thereinafter
• after
• drafter
• laughter
• rafter
• hereafter

Kids Definition

thereafter

adverb

there·​af·​ter t͟ha-ˈraf-tər 

t͟he-

: after that

it was returned shortly thereafter