as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another
the following morning, I found the cat was gone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in audience
a group of people showing intense devotion to a cause, person, or work (as a film)
that rock star attracts quite a following
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in succeeding
to come after in time
a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pursuing
to go after or on the track of
let's follow the boys to their hiding place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obeying
to act according to the commands of
follow me, and you'll do OK
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in traversing
to make one's way through, across, or over
followed the path into the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in noting
to take notice of and be guided by
don't follow his advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in watching
to keep one's eyes on
stood on the platform and followed the departing train until it disappeared from sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 following
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Merlin, a miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig, was recognized by Guinness World Records for his large Instagram following.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office released the video on Tuesday afternoon following day 6 of hearings to determine if evidence will be excluded from Mangione's trial.
—Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
The following is an excerpt from the new book, To Catch a Fish, by Mark Kurlansky.
—Mike Kurlansky, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
If the measure passes, violators would face penalties under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, including an up to $10,000 fine for a first offense and a $25,000 fine for any following offenses.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Drivers are advised to use extra caution this morning, allow greater following distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Noor herself framed the series as an extension of the philosophy that built her massive online following.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Merlin, a miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig, was recognized by Guinness World Records for his large Instagram following.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Preposition
New York City's LaGuardia Airport reopened Monday following Sunday night's runway crash.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office released the video on Tuesday afternoon following day 6 of hearings to determine if evidence will be excluded from Mangione's trial.
—Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
David Drubner, a partner in Southford Park LLC, said the opposition is misguided given the rising costs for financing municipal services and schools — and that is especially true following a recent property revaluation in Middlebury.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
The following is an excerpt from the new book, To Catch a Fish, by Mark Kurlansky.
—Mike Kurlansky, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
The bases still loaded, Smith won it in the next at-bat.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Man stabbed to death in Southie apartment A man was stabbed in an apartment in South Boston Friday and pronounced dead at a hospital the next day.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In 1540, Don Francisco Vazquez de Coronado set off from Mexico City with an entourage of thousands to find gold in the unexplored north.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Bizarrely, Fetchit reappeared in the mid-1960s as part of Muhammad Ali’s entourage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet key dramatic moments—a shooting, the robbers’ realization that the bank vault is empty—occurred in a hallway invisible to the audience, described secondhand.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Through a dozen feature films and one local short, the festival’s films invite audiences to reflect on resilience, identity and powerful storytelling in the face of adversity, according to Giovanna Torres, founder of Cine Casual.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the Pomona case, O'Malley said that officers had to weigh the costs of continuing the pursuit.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Most families here are descendants of settlers from Ireland and England who came in pursuit of cod 300-plus years ago.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Preposition
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
3 Apr. 2026
-
It can only be diagnosed after death.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hashem rose to the position after the 2024 war, succeeding Ali Karaki, who was killed alongside former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike that year.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fahmy’s five-year term as secretary-general will start in July, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who has served as Arab League chief since 2016.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His career path is noted by local teachers and community members as a model for pursuing STEM fields from a Baltimore County foundation.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To that point, Fortune reported last week that 77% of enterprises are actively pursuing AI initiatives—but many don’t know how to evaluate, procure, or deploy the tools effectively, leaving significant spending without measurable return.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A week before the tournament began Marion County Public Health Department officials and Mayor Joe Hogsett asked attendees to make smart public health choices, such as social distancing and obeying the face masks mandate.—
Shari Rudavsky,
IndyStar,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
