View synonyms for

afterthought

[ af-ter-thawt, ahf- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a later or second thought; reconsideration.
reflection after an act; an appropriate explanation, answer, expedient, or the like, conceived of too late for the occasion.
something added, as a part or feature, that was not included in the original plan or design:
The vestry was added to the church as an afterthought.

afterthought

/ ˈɑː�ڳ�əˌθɔː�� /

noun

a comment, reply, etc, that occurs to one after the opportunity to deliver it has passed
an addition to something already completed

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Word History and Origins

Origin of afterthought¹

First recorded in 1655–65; after + thought ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Despite all that, Francis’ climate advocacy was largely an afterthought in immediate media coverage of his death.

From

It should balance tang, richness and lightness, and it should feel like an integral part of the dessert, not just an afterthought.

From

His queerness is a welcome afterthought, divergent from a spate of gay homecoming films that hinge their narratives on a character’s struggle to come out or be themselves around their family.

From

At no point had they mentioned this during my detention and it seemed clear that it was an afterthought on their part to attempt to justify my case.

From

Dukkah — a Middle Eastern blend of toasted nuts, seeds and spices—takes raw vegetables from afterthought to main event.

From

after the fact aftertime

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