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.
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Recent Examples of following
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Motorists are urged to slow down, use headlights, and maintain a safe following distance to prevent collisions.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny retains a huge following, though, setting up what has turned out to be a significant cultural clash on the sidelines of the big game.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Ed Meza, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Leader of the conservative Primero Justicia party, Guanipa was among several high-profile political prisoners freed on Sunday, in the latest effort from Caracas to satisfy US demands following Washington’s ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.
—Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Adjective
Jackson's following pass to Chris Dawn Jr., which would've been a touchdown, is long.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Motorists are urged to slow down, use headlights, and maintain a safe following distance to prevent collisions.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
While especially popular during Lent, the fish sandwich and platter have earned a loyal following among customers who appreciate a seafood option that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny retains a huge following, though, setting up what has turned out to be a significant cultural clash on the sidelines of the big game.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Preposition
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
Rozier was arrested in Orlando, where the Heat stayed overnight following Wednesday’s 125-121 season-opening loss to the Magic.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
The production is being revised following the ÖFI Plus cuts but the film will likely still shoot in Austria.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Leader of the conservative Primero Justicia party, Guanipa was among several high-profile political prisoners freed on Sunday, in the latest effort from Caracas to satisfy US demands following Washington’s ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.
—Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for following
Recent Examples of Synonyms for following
Adjective
-
The second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program will take place next week in Geneva, Switzerland, according to multiple reports.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX has three more launches scheduled from Vandenberg this month, the next expected to take place Wednesday, according to the company’s site.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An imperious figure with a tendency to grandstand, Yermak feuded with a succession of Western diplomats and just about everyone in Zelensky’s entourage.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Naumov’s entourage included his godmother, Gretta Bogdan, and his longtime friends, the Petrenko brothers, Daniel and Anton.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The British writer and director’s third film, to be released Friday, has polarized audiences since the first trailer.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the pursuit of transgression for its own sake can easily derail sound judgment.—
Laura K. Field,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Two people were also arrested for allegedly engaging police in pursuit and a man who was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Preposition
-
His execution comes about a month after an emotional clemency hearing during which a parole board deciding his fate heard from the victims' families, a survivor of the shooting, and Simpson himself.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Baseball owners, with Dick Monfort playing a prominent role as a hawk in labor negotiations, are expected to lock out the players after this season, seeking a salary cap, believing that is the only reason the Dodgers win.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bob Iger, named chief executive in 2005 succeeding Michael Eisner, left abruptly in 2000 and then parks chief Bob Chapek stepped in.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Aside from contributing more tax money and stimulating the economy, O’Leary also reasoned that some billionaires are self-made and shouldn’t be punished for succeeding financially in their careers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even so, he was discouraged from pursuing a career in music.—
Jim Dudlicek,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors disagree, insisting that Brown recklessly communicated a threat on X (formerly Twitter) and that the First Amendment does not prevent them from pursuing the case.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Writing isn’t about compiling a list of rules and then obeying them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
If money talks, there clearly was a feeling George violated the letter of the law by obeying the spirit of her profession.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Following.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/following. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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