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Definitions

after a while

ADJECTIVE
following
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coming consecutive ensuing subsequent succeeding successive
STRONG
attendant back hinder latter posterior pursuing rear resulting serial specified then trailing
WEAK
a while later afterward coming after coming next consequent consequential directly after henceforth in pursuit in search of in the wake of later later on next next off on the scent presently proximate sequent sequential seriate supervenient when
Antonyms
STRONG
front preceding
WEAK
first leading
ADVERB
finally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
already belatedly eventually someday sooner or later subsequently ultimately
STRONG
lastly
WEAK
after all as a sequel at last at length at long last at the eleventh hour at the end at the last moment despite delay in conclusion in spite of all in the eleventh hour in the long run sometime tardily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
never
WEAK
doubtfully dubiously inconclusively
ADVERB
someday
Synonyms
STRONGEST
finally one day sometime sooner or later subsequently ultimately
WEAK
anytime at a future time in a time to come on a day one fine day one of these days one time or another
Antonyms
STRONGEST
never
ADVERB
ulteriorly
Synonyms
WEAK
after afterward afterwards again at another time behind by and by come Sunday down the line down the road in a while in time infra later on latterly more recent next subsequently succeeding thereafter
ADVERB
ultimately
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basically conclusively finally someday sooner or later
WEAK
after all as a conclusion at last at long last at the close by and by climactically fundamentally hereafter in conclusion in consummation in due time in future in the end in the sequel presently sequentially sometime somewhere
Antonyms
WEAK
never

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.

Ms McCubbin said when she came out hospital, she was using a zimmer frame and after a while she decided "no more".

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

A lack of evidence pointing to their origins has plagued investigations into the incidents since they began in September, as in many cases the drones depart after a while.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

“I also had this growing desire to be a homesteader for real. And then after a while I was just like, ‘I grew a tomato!

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

Yeah, I mean, after a while you conclude it is in some sense antisemitic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

Then he went out to get the tin trunk and after a while I followed.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya