How to Use after in a Sentence

after

1 of 4 adverb
  • He ate lunch and left just after.
  • I expected her then, but she arrived the week after.
  • Don't tell them until after.
  • The cheese will seize up not long after.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
  • The deal was scrapped soon after.
    — Maria Guinnip, Oklahoman, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The padel idea dawned soon after.
    — Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Both joined the band soon after.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Soon after, things took a turn for the weird.
    — Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
  • Soon after, the bust got pinched.
    — David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • If not, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands after.
    — Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • No one saw him the whole day, and most of the day after.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Not long after, Holtz asked to see him.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The tools were the same before and after.
    — Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Yes, there is always a kind of after.
    — Carmen Maria MacHado, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The couple went to bed soon after.
    — Nicole Hensley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
  • Things took a drastic turn for his look not too long after.
    — Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
  • He was cleared and able to go back in the game quickly after.
    — Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Soon after, the dollar fell and gold hit a record high.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Not long after, the actress packed up her house and moved out.
    — Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 9 Mar. 2022
  • Soon after, her house was swept away by the fast moving flood.
    — Jessi Mitchell, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2021
  • People can protest and then go out to lunch with their friends after.
    — Nikki Giovanni, Bon Appétit, 1 Dec. 2020
  • This is after, and well after, in fact.
    — Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 May 2026
  • The footage is replayed for weeks after.
    — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Not for a small subset of us, but for each of those who come after.
    — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2021
  • Soon after, the police raid their home.
    — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Snow filed for divorce four months after.
    — Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Rose gobbled it up, lay in my arms and not long after was at rest.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Soon after, both men were released.
    — Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In others, dead plants that were moved to block the paths were cleared away soon after.
    — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
  • The bite melts in your mouth and its sweet-savory taste lingers on your tongue long after.
    — Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025

after

2 of 4 preposition
  • He left after an hour.
  • How can you say that after what happened last night?
  • He finished the exam after me.
  • Call me after your arrival.
  • He left just after nightfall.
  • We arrived shortly after six o'clock.
  • She was going to arrive tomorrow but I'm now expecting her the day after tomorrow instead.
  • It's the highest mountain after Mount Everest.
  • He returned after 20 years.
  • The stock is down 9% after hours.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The stock is down about 1% after hours.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • If your wrists hurt after a long day, one of these could help.
    — Cnet, SFChronicle.com, 12 June 2020
  • Sam Altman walked that back after a few days.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Dodgers gave the bullpen some breathing room after that.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 31 May 2026
  • Although going back up the hill after work is not for the faint of heart.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Some schools might fall into a lull after such a moment.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Cooper told reporters in the press room after his win.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • But even in that game, he was gone after 90 pitches.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Tough to go back to nachos with plastic cheese after that, huh?
    — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
  • For many, the city after dark is a way of life and means of reinvention.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • But after letting a few batters get away from him, his pitch count had spiked.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
  • Scoring in the paint, and then the threes start falling after that.
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • Schick scored, but nobody wanted to talk about that after the game.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Some reviewers note that the nose piece on this mask can feel tight after many hours.
    — Chloe Irving, Health.com, 23 Dec. 2021
  • Counties weren’t named for them until well after their deaths.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
  • Seton players and coaches went to greet her and hug her after the game.
    — James Weber, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2022
  • Divorce after almost two decades is worse.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The junior quarterback was seen with his left arm in a sling after the game.
    — Jason Beede, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2021
  • The Harmons are hoping the two will keep the store open after them.
    — The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2022
  • Bishop spent two days in intensive care and was back home after five days.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

after

3 of 4 adjective
  • What is the vibe of the after party?
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 May 2026
  • Then the after party was great.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The stock is getting hit in the after hours, down almost 9%.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Do unboxings, demos, and before-and-after clips to show your range.
    — Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Indiana missed a point-after attempt that of course would’ve changed the math at the end of the game.
    — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, 3 Jan. 2020
  • Do a quarterly cleanup day at a local park with clear before-and-after photos.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
  • His snap was perfect, the point-after attempt was good and Olson got a big ovation.
    — Zach Helfand, latimes.com, 2 Sep. 2017
  • There’s the event, then the after party, then the after party, then after party.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Display the before-and-after metrics.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The actor's post came with a series of photos from the process, including a before-and-after split of him on the show.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022
  • Be cautious about relying on before-and-after photos.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Another mass shooting at an after hours, unlicensed club.
    — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
  • Tickets for this production are $40 and $29 each for the after show party.
    — Rich Heileman, cleveland, 8 Nov. 2019
  • Meanwhile, Jonas rocked a classic black tux for both the ceremony and the after party.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The instinct to move beyond the true crime template, avoiding a false happily-ever-after ending, is a good one.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
  • While most celebs snapped at last night's Met Gala on the red carpet, many made sure to debut stunning looks at the after party as well.
    — Gianluca Russo, Teen Vogue, 7 May 2019
  • An unsportsmanlike penalty forced a 35-yard point-after attempt, which was blocked at the line of scrimmage.
    — Mitch Stephens, SFChronicle.com, 2 Nov. 2019
  • The 41-year-old actor took to Instagram to share his before-and-after photos.
    — Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Price is $310 for members, $350 for non-members and $10 per day for the after camp.
    — Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Oscar winner paired the heels with an oversize Louis Vuitton coat in black for the after party.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Glenelg mishandled the snap on the point-after attempt, however, and the Owls remained one score behind.
    — Megan Woodward, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 30 Sep. 2019
  • Morstead conducted more than two dozen interviews during a day that began before dawn and didn't end until well after sunset.
    — Jeff Duncan, NOLA.com, 2 Feb. 2018
  • Janice Dickinson debuted her new facelift for the first time in before-and-after photos.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 23 May 2026
  • For a fourth quarter point-after attempt, the Trojans sent out blind long snapper Jake Olson.
    — Houston Mitchell, latimes.com, 5 July 2019
  • At the after party, see an awards ceremony and celebrate your accomplishment with food, drink and fun.
    — Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Some brands, like Déesse, share before-and-after imagery of people who’ve used their devices consistently over weeks or months.
    — Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Earlier, in the second quarter, Al East had blocked a Ducks point-after attempt.
    — oregonlive, 25 Nov. 2019
  • Frankly, the exciting part about the ending of Killer of Killers is that the door is open to tell the in-between stories and the after stories.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Exotic was not available to comment on the numerous allegations made against him during the after show.
    — Rosy Cordero, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2020
  • Social media has amplified that shift, turning before-and-after redesigns into a form of storytelling in their own right.
    — Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 3 June 2026

after

4 of 4 noun
  • Most of the after-work and evening shoppers have come and gone.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Opting out of the after-work hang?
    — Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Before-and-afters, on the other hand, can tell you a lot.
    — Victoria Oliva, Allure, 23 June 2026
  • The Knights had the point-after kick blocked but grabbed the early lead.
    — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 5 Mar. 2021
  • Most people have a before and an after.
    — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The shuttered brick mills next to the falls are now sought-after lofts and condos.
    — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, 17 Mar. 2018
  • There is always a before and an after.
    — Literary Hub august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Or some joke of an after-thought, like the term 'mocktails' implies.
    — Dave Quinn, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Cut to the afters at the Chateau Marmont.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
  • The after-effects are still being felt.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Those who wish to may pet the horses in the stable after, or talk to their riders.
    — Chicago Reader, 22 June 2017
  • My childhood would always have a line drawn through it, the before and the after.
    — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2018
  • Here are a few vineyards on Pritchard Hill that are the most sought-after.
    — Nicole Fritton, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Nov. 2019
  • Before-and-after photos show the slide breaking all the way to the ground.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
  • One notable part of the yogurt was what staffers described as a lack of an after-taste.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Martin guitars, once available cheap in yard sales, were now much sought-after.
    — Billboard Staff, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2020
  • What happened after the after-show?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025
  • The reds are sought-after, prestigious and often high-priced.
    — Lettie Teague, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2017
  • In the after photo, the actor shows off his muscular physique in shorts and a tank top.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • There will be vendors, food and an after party with a dance performance.
    — John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2023
  • Google knows that happy employees who feel safe and looked-after work harder and stay longer.
    — Peter Jones, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2017
  • Read reviews, look at images of before and afters, and choose your artist wisely.
    — Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 May 2016
  • Edwin Ramirez added the point-after to give Waltham a 7-0 lead.
    — Kevin Stone, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Sep. 2022
  • Also, the lines for the bathrooms will be much shorter, and the after-show beers much cheaper.
    — Michael Calore, Wired, 17 May 2021
  • Your body/mind doesn’t expect the heat eating your favorite after-dinner treat.
    — Emmy Favilla, CNN Underscored, 14 Sep. 2020
  • Bring a lunch of purchase one locally for an after worship picnic on the lawn.
    — Staff Report, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2023
  • It was written in the after-roar of one war, with another boiling up on the horizon.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2022
  • As Khan completes the last leg of the tour, even his after-show merch puts his borough at the forefront.
    — Lisa Brown, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2017
  • Plastic surgery before-and-afters?
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
  • Create an unboxing video, record a quick demo, or shoot a video before-and-after.
    — Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'after.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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