follow

verb

ˈfä-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce follow (audio)
Definition of follownext
1
as in to succeed
to come after in time a wrap-up always follows the Super Bowl broadcast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pursue
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 to obey
to act according to the commands of follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to traverse
to make one's way through, across, or over followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to note
to take notice of and be guided by don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to observe
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

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 Last fall, Israel and Hamas signed a two-phase agreement after two years of bombing and siege in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 For a safer outdoor work environment, follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s guidance by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026 The incident occurred following Angel City FC's 2-0 win over the Orlando Pride on Friday evening, July 3, according to an Angel City FC spokesperson and multiple videos of the incident shared on social media by event attendees. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for follow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow
  1. succeed
  2. pursue
  3. obey
  4. traverse
  5. note
  6. observe
  7. replace
  8. chase
Verb
  • Marine Le Pen succeeds her father as president of the National Front, launching a long-term effort to broaden the party’s appeal and distance it from its extremist image.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • But instead of playing kingmaker, the lame-duck governor has refused to get behind a candidate to succeed him.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • Exonerees in Georgia have a new pathway to obtain compensation from the state, which Pugh intends to pursue, but that process takes time.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • While the Supreme Court ruling focused specifically on cases in West Virginia and Idaho, it is expected to have far-reaching implications for those additional 25 states — and possibly more if other states pursue similar legislation.
    — Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of pursue
Verb
  • Tesla has said its Autopilot system enables vehicles to steer, accelerate and brake within their lanes, while Full Self-Driving lets vehicles obey traffic signals and change lanes.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Nietzsche says somewhere that the illusion of willpower rests on our tendency to identify with the part of our soul that commands, not the part that obeys.
    — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of obey
Verb
  • Tehran meanwhile has tried to strengthen its leverage by saying crew members must gain permission to traverse the strait along routes approved by its officials.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • The first Spanish expedition to California in 1542 was followed about 220 years later when Gaspar de Portolá and Franciscan monk Junipero Serra traversed the coastal lands.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of traverse
Verb
  • Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller also spoke on Monday and reiterated the central bank's commitment to its 2% inflation target, while noting the pros and cons of forward guidance.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • The announcement noted that the DMV is already using Claude to improve customer service and reduce wait times.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of note
Verb
  • At a hearing on June 24 observed by The Times, 14 immigrants didn’t make their appointment, and were ordered removable by the end of the day.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the Copernicus Marine Service, global ocean temperatures outside the polar regions hit record levels on June 21, surpassing levels for the time of the year observed in both 2023 and 2024.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Definition of observe
Verb
  • With no room for error, Sheehan was quickly replaced by Jack Dreyer, who escaped the inning scoreless.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Buxton was replaced in center by Kyler Fedko in the bottom of the first inning.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of replace
Verb
  • Zach Neto added a two-out RBI single moments later to chase Bennett.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Chestnut, a 17-time champion, is chasing another Mustard Belt after reclaiming the men’s title in 2025.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of chase

Phrases Containing follow

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follies
follow
followed
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Cite this Entry

“Follow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/follow. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on follow

Nglish: Translation of follow for Spanish Speakers

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