follow

v.

1. To come after

   succeed, come next, ensue, replace, supplant, postdate, go behind, bring up the rear, tailgate, tag along*; see also succeed 2.

2. To regulate one's action

   conform, observe, imitate, copy, take after, match, follow in the footsteps of, walk in the shoes of, mirror, reflect, follow the example of, do as, mimic, hold fast, follow suit, do like*, emulate, obey, abide by, adhere to, heed, string along, comply, be in keeping, harmonize, be consistent with, attend to, accord; see also conform.

   Antonyms disregard, neglect*, depart from.

3. To be a follower

   serve, support, attend; see accompany 1, obey 2.

4. To go in pursuit of

   chase, trail, track, stalk; see pursue 1.

5. To observe

   heed, regard, keep an eye on, keep up with; see watch 1.

6. To understand

   comprehend, catch, grasp; see understand 1.

7. To result

   result, ensue, proceed from, spring from, come from, happen, develop, arise; see also result.

follow is the general word meaning to come or occur after, but it does not necessarily imply a causal relationship with what goes before sunshine followed by rain; ensue implies that what follows comes as a logical consequence of what preceded clouds appeared and rain ensued; succeed implies that what follows takes the place of what preceded who succeeded Polk to the presidency?; result stresses a definite relationship of cause and effect between what follows and what preceded crime that results from poverty