but then
idiom
1
—used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement
I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.
—sometimes used to introduce an explanation for somethingHis cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.
2
—used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next
The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.
Examples of but then in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two of the IPOs – cloud computing and logistics – were announced, but then scrapped.
—
Patrick Frater, Variety, 14 May 2024
Crew members restored power by manually closing two breakers, but then a second blackout occurred due to insufficient fuel pressure in one of the ship's generators.
—Emily Le Coz, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024
According to the TikToker, the idea for the song stemmed from making fun of girls who complained about being single but then had a laundry list of expectations for potential partners.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024
His wife and one son joined him, the documents claim, per the outlet, but then Doerman allegedly took his gun and shot his son.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
The Biden administration restored these disclosures at first, but then suspended them again.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024
His team got credit for being the first across the finish line in the vaccine race—without receiving government funding through Operation Warp Speed in the research and development process—but then was criticized for keeping prices of the shot too high once the pandemic started to wane.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
Erik Thommy made it 3-2, finishing a one-on-one chance, but then came the old storyline that has popped up for Sporting.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Montes says she was placed on administrative leave at first, but then got an email saying she was terminated.
—Dara Kerr, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
Patrick Frater, Variety, 14 May 2024
Crew members restored power by manually closing two breakers, but then a second blackout occurred due to insufficient fuel pressure in one of the ship's generators.
—Emily Le Coz, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024
According to the TikToker, the idea for the song stemmed from making fun of girls who complained about being single but then had a laundry list of expectations for potential partners.
—Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024
His wife and one son joined him, the documents claim, per the outlet, but then Doerman allegedly took his gun and shot his son.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
The Biden administration restored these disclosures at first, but then suspended them again.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024
His team got credit for being the first across the finish line in the vaccine race—without receiving government funding through Operation Warp Speed in the research and development process—but then was criticized for keeping prices of the shot too high once the pandemic started to wane.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
Erik Thommy made it 3-2, finishing a one-on-one chance, but then came the old storyline that has popped up for Sporting.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Montes says she was placed on administrative leave at first, but then got an email saying she was terminated.
—Dara Kerr, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'but then.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near but then
Cite this Entry
“But then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/but%20then. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
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