following 1 of 4

as in next
being the one that comes immediately after another the following morning, I found the cat was gone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

2 of 4

noun

1
as in entourage
a body of employees or servants who accompany and wait on a person a prince with a large following to do practically everything for him

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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

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3

following

3 of 4

preposition

as in after
subsequent to in time or order following the concert, there will be refreshments in the lobby

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

following

4 of 4

verb

present participle of follow
1
as in succeeding
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
6

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
Adjective
In a following video, Kardashian filmed some of her birthday balloons displaying photos of her face stuck on them in another birthday surprise. Escher Walcott, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 Pelon's Food Truck has gained its following solely through word of mouth, Guthrie said. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
Even when projects earned mixed reviews from film critics or flew under the radar, Kilmer’s performances still drew commendations and cultivated a fervent fan following. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 The joint venture not only builds on Cardi B’s already massive following, but that following should help Revolve Group expand in beauty and on a global scale. Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Johnson was originally hired to his position in 2022, following three seasons as a lower-level assistant on the Lions’ staff. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 The snow is supposed to end by Tuesday afternoon, and temperatures in the mid-Atlantic region will rise above freezing following a days-long cold snap. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
  • Their trial, originally set for next week, has been postponed until July.
    Andrea Tinianow, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After Wednesday’s contest against the Bulls, the Heat has just two regular-season games left to play — Friday at New Orleans Pelicans and Sunday vs. Washington Wizards — before beginning the play-in tournament next week.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • From extreme demands to judgmental entourages, the bridal fashion designer, 61, has seen it all.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Dorothy's entourage accompanying her through Oz includes the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow, much like Michelle's trek gathers the Kid Cosmo robot, Keats, and the quirky size-swapping 'bot called Herman.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The character audiences remember from episode one would have gotten defensive or brushed her superior off, but Dr. Santos takes her criticism on board and hops to.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But unlike that 1996 Robert Rodriguez-Quentin Tarantino joint, Sinners isn’t winking at the audience from behind grotesque violence and droll B-movie tropes.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The mind subconsciously shifts from pursuit to prevention.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Smith, who ran her own pet grooming business, devoted herself entirely to Piper’s pageant pursuits.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Preposition
  • The 30-year-old Spaniard broke through to win the green jacket and The Masters in 2023 after out-dueling Brooks Koepka.
    Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In a two-episode arc starting next week, the 118 firehouse will grapple with a virus that turns into a contagion event — as revealed in the promo (below) that aired after Thursday's episode of the ABC drama (which was just today renewed for season 9).
    Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But battling isn’t the same as succeeding.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • As job roles continue to shift, the professionals who can combine technical knowledge with creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability will be the ones driving change and succeeding in the future of work.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Nebraska is all in on pursuing Millard South tight end Isaac Jensen.
    Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • And fans deserve to know and understand the paths the Titans are pursuing in making these decisions.
    Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The hotel's renovation started in 2023 with a floor-to-ceiling redesign of all 392 guest rooms, including 57 suites, upgrades to the hotel’s meeting and event space, and the relocation of the lobby and front desk to the ground floor.
    Ryan Slattery, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Each of the 69 residential-feeling rooms and suites is uniquely designed, some in warm reds and fuchsias, others in soothing blues and greens.
    Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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