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.

And for the first time in a while, I could feel my heart open without needing to turn the moment into a future.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

If you haven’t touched your portfolio in a while, you may have 65% stocks and 35% bonds when you’re targeting a 60/40 portfolio.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

“Coke Zero, do I drink them once in a while? Yeah,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Once in a while, a conspiracy theory may be wrong but still manages to channel authentic frustrations.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

As soon as those words were out of me, though, right away I had a better feeling than I’d had in a while.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

in a while

Example Sentences

Related Words