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as in to succeed
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word follow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of follow are ensue, succeed, and supervene. While all these words mean "to come after something or someone," follow may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical sequence.

speeches followed the dinner

When is it sensible to use ensue instead of follow?

While the synonyms ensue and follow are close in meaning, ensue commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally expected development.

after the talk a general discussion ensued

When is succeed a more appropriate choice than follow?

Although the words succeed and follow have much in common, succeed implies a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank.

she succeeded her father as head of the business

When can supervene be used instead of follow?

The words supervene and follow can be used in similar contexts, but supervene suggests the following or beginning of something unforeseen or unpredictable.

unable to continue because of supervening circumstances

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of follow Delta Air Lines followed JetBlue in unveiling complimentary connectivity in 2023 for its SkyMiles loyalty program members. Annie Palmer,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025 Hunter Luepke is the latest Dallas Cowboy to sign a contract extension following the team’s trade of pass rusher Micah Parsons. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025 The exhibit will feature 100 years of historic and Opry-related artifacts, including the following clothing and instruments: A wooden steamboat whistle used by the Opry's founder and longtime announcer, George D. Hay. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 2025 The filing follows years of financial and technical difficulties for the biogas developer which has seen operating losses of approximately $1 million per month, court records showed. Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for follow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow
Verb
  • Human intervention has helped to curb the effects on some of the most imperiled native species, and in some cases, even succeeded in recovery efforts, but the overarching threat of climate change persists.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • By Tuesday evening, the fire crew succeeded in containing 70% of the fire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Stander and other preservationists are pursuing other avenues and got a boost last month.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The jury saw extensive emails between Donna and Wendi that showed how Donna pushed Wendi to pursue relocation to South Florida at any cost, including offering her ex-husband $1 million and taunting him with the possibility of converting their kids from Judaism to Catholicism.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The teen faces arraignment Wednesday on a felony weapons charge and for failing to obey an order of juvenile court.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • He was also ordered to obey the terms of the restraining order.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Patient data traverses unsecured networks in jurisdictions beyond the scope of oversight.
    Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Much of the rest of the hike was dry and traversed gentle gravel bars or smooth limestone expanses, skirting the edges of grassy bluffs and rocky cliffs.
    Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Unless otherwise noted, all stats are tailored to redraft, half-PPR, 1-QB leagues, and ADPs are via Fantasy Football Calculator.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • However, Fazio notes that some vitamin supplementation, like with iron, should only be used in specific cases and otherwise avoided unless clearly indicated by a professional.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Weak northeasterly/downcanyon winds were observed.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That idea, that the changes are most prominent in academic writing, comes up a lot, but the shift has been observed beyond academia, too.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ryan was replaced in the third inning by right-handed reliever — and former Royal — Thomas Hatch.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Our testers especially loved that the granules are packaged in an ergonomic plastic jug that makes lifting and tilting it a breeze when replacing the litter.
    Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Senegal’s Lamine Camara is the type of midfielder that would help many a Champions League-chasing team.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Five teams are chasing a postseason berth.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/follow. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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