in the wake of
Idioms-
Following directly on, as in In the wake of the procession, a number of small children came skipping down the aisle . This usage alludes to the waves made behind a passing vessel. [c. 1800]
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In the aftermath of, as a consequence of, as in Famine often comes in the wake of war . [Mid-1800s]
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.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in recent weeks has remained low, suggesting that employers aren’t undertaking major layoffs in the wake of the latest Middle East conflict.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
“People are finally getting around to the idea that we are at war,” said Cindy Beaulieu, chief investment officer at Conning North America, speaking in the wake of Trump’s Wednesday night address on Iran.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
The news comes days after OpenAI closed the largest funding round in Silicon Valley history, but also in the wake of some blows to its image.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Sean McVay hopes Puka Nacua will “learn and grow” in the wake of a woman filing a lawsuit against the wide receiver as the Rams consider a contract extension.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
The smile returned, slightly, in the wake of Miig's reproach.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
