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Definitions

in a while

ADVERB
afterward/afterwards
Synonyms
WEAK
a while later after another time at a later time behind by and by ensuingly eventually intra late later latterly next on the next day post hoc soon subsequently then thereafter thereon ultimately
Antonyms
WEAK
beforehand
ADVERB
later
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afterward again next subsequently thereafter
STRONG
after
WEAK
at another time behind by and by come Sunday down the line down the road in time infra later on latterly more recent succeeding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
earlier
WEAK
before
ADVERB
ulteriorly
Synonyms
WEAK
after after a while afterward afterwards again at another time behind by and by come Sunday down the line down the road in time infra later on latterly more recent next subsequently succeeding thereafter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"We haven't won anything in a while and that is not a nice place to be as a team," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“Every once in a while we get in there and let it rip,” said James, “but I am not very good.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

They have not been sent to the Gulf in a while.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

“Something that you can do once in a while is better than getting yourself stuck into a recurring cycle of just adding more fees to your budget every month,” Saunders said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

Fred and I stopped to listen every once in a while.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen