FOLLOW Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

ˈfä-(ˌ)lō

Definition of follow next

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

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

as in to obey

to act according to the commands of follow me, and you'll do OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to traverse

to make one's way through, across, or over followed the path into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to note

to take notice of and be guided by don't follow his advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

blink
wink

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 Majors, considered a rising star, was dropped from a number of projects following his conviction, including by Disney and Marvel, after having made his big debut as villain Kang the Conquerer. —

Jessica Wang, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025 In Buffalo, New York, city officials recently brought fluoride back online following a class action lawsuit from residents. —

Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 Like so many Angelenos, Cheyenne Shannon’s routine came to a halt in the hours after the devastating Palisades Fire broke out on the morning of Jan. 7, followed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. —

Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025 Continuing on the momentum, the following GenAI trends are set to catch fire in 2025 and every executive should be paying attention: Agentic AI Agentic AI includes AI systems that are meant to act autonomously in real-world environments and are capable of acting without human interference. —

Venkat Viswanathan, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for follow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for follow

Verb

Washington head coach Dan Quinn decided to be aggressive and sent his offense to try and pick up the first down and succeeded on a quarterback keeper from Daniels.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Michele, who succeeded Pierpaolo Piccioli in 2024 after departing from Gucci in 2022, took inspiration for the spring 2025 collection from 18th- and 19th-century gardens that were constructed as eye candy.

— Marissa Muller, WWD, 19 Jan. 2025