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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.

"In previous elections, even though we may have been an afterthought and tacked on the end of the sentences, like we always are, at least we were mentioned. Now it's complete silence," she said.

From

Her own overdue health checks and tests are barely an afterthought.

From

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

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

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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

after the fact aftertime

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