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
In the lyrical spar, J. Cole offered a diss record against his Compton peer, but then retracted the song and issued an apology.
—
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The concession made sense at the time, but then over the last ten years, two major factors changed the landscape.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
No one in Ammon’s Jeep got capped, but then, unlike good ol’ Finicum, Ammon’s driver was one of the third or more of the occupiers secretly playing for the other team.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
The Autumn Negroni is, like a normal Negroni, made of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, but then also adds Cynar, Fernet Branca, Orange Bitters, and Peychaud’s Bitters.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for but then 
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Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The concession made sense at the time, but then over the last ten years, two major factors changed the landscape.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
No one in Ammon’s Jeep got capped, but then, unlike good ol’ Finicum, Ammon’s driver was one of the third or more of the occupiers secretly playing for the other team.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
The Autumn Negroni is, like a normal Negroni, made of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, but then also adds Cynar, Fernet Branca, Orange Bitters, and Peychaud’s Bitters.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for but then
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 16 Nov. 2024.
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