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
The stock market surged early Wednesday but then steadily lost momentum as investors digested news
of a possible trade deal with China and President Trump's dismissal of any plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
The training data might contain all kinds of really problematic stereotypes across countries, but then the bias mitigation techniques may only look at English.
—Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
Minnesota was not picked by many to down the defending champs in Denver, but then the Wolves took Game 1.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
The Heat’s offense kept it in the game for the first three quarters, but then went cold in the fourth quarter.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for but then
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Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
The training data might contain all kinds of really problematic stereotypes across countries, but then the bias mitigation techniques may only look at English.
—Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
Minnesota was not picked by many to down the defending champs in Denver, but then the Wolves took Game 1.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
The Heat’s offense kept it in the game for the first three quarters, but then went cold in the fourth quarter.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for but then
Cite this Entry
“But then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/but%20then. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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