afterthought
noun
af·ter·thought ˈaf-tər-ˌthȯt 
1
: an idea occurring later
made the suggestion as an afterthought
2
: something (such as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary
a seating area added as an afterthought to the office
Examples of afterthought in a Sentence
Then I remembered, almost as an afterthought, to feed the cat. The fact was hidden deep in the report, almost as an afterthought. The lounge was added to the office as an afterthought.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet as the focus remains on federal politics, our state legislative maps and the unfairness of them cannot be a mere afterthought. —
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 With all of the commotion made about his on-base streak being snapped, his performance on the mound was almost an afterthought. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 The rooms Rooms are not an afterthought here. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Allora Allora’s vegetarian tasting menu isn’t an afterthought. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterthought
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.
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 With all of the commotion made about his on-base streak being snapped, his performance on the mound was almost an afterthought. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 The rooms Rooms are not an afterthought here. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Allora Allora’s vegetarian tasting menu isn’t an afterthought. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afterthought
Cite this Entry
“Afterthought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/afterthought. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afterthought
noun
af·ter·thought -ˌthȯt
1
: a later thought about something one has done or said
2
: something not thought of originally
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
