thereafter
6 synonyms for thereafter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — After that time; from then on.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use thereafter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shortly thereafter
and thereafter
Common in formal, legal, or written English; sounds stiff in casual speech.
Etymology
From Old English thaeraefter, formed from there plus after.
Full origin of thereafter →Frequently asked questions
What does “thereafter” mean?
The word “thereafter” means after that time; from then on. In plain terms, a formal way of saying "after that" or "from then on".
How do you pronounce “thereafter”?
“Thereafter” is pronounced theh-uhr-AHF-tuh (/ˌðɛɹˈæf.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thereafter” in a sentence?
Here is “thereafter” used in a sentence: “He was promoted in 2020, and thereafter took on more responsibility.”
What part of speech is “thereafter”?
“Thereafter” is an adverb.
Where does the word “thereafter” come from?
The word “thereafter” comes from Old English. From Old English thaeraefter, formed from there plus after.
Is “thereafter” a common word?
“Thereafter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "thereafter" and "afterwards"?
Both mean at a later time, but "thereafter" is more formal and means specifically "from that point on," often covering everything that follows. "Afterwards" is more everyday and simply means at some later time, without the same sense of continuously from then.
What is the difference between "thereafter" and "hereafter"?
"Thereafter" means after that particular time or event already mentioned. "Hereafter" means from now on, starting at the present moment, and can also refer to life after death. "There-" points back to a stated time, while "here-" points to now.
Is "thereafter" formal?
Yes. "Thereafter" is a formal, slightly old-fashioned adverb common in legal, academic, and official writing. In everyday speech, people usually say "after that," "then," or "from then on" instead.
Where does "thereafter" go in a sentence?
"Thereafter" usually appears at the start of a clause or right after the verb, as in "She left school and thereafter worked abroad." Because it refers back to a time or event already mentioned, that reference must come first.
