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
It was only supposed to run for 13 weeks, but then station manager Carol Nolan extended it due to popular demand.
—
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
Some of our employees have lost homes, many are displaced, but then there are other parts of the city that are OK.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
Xavi Hernandez was the manager at the time, and he's since been replaced by Flick after agreeing to see out his contract until June 30, 2025, but then getting the boot for publicly discussing the club's financial restraints.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Temperatures will rebound beginning Sunday afternoon and into Monday reaching highs in the mid to upper 70s, but then a stronger cold front will hit the region dragging temperatures lower beginning Tuesday morning.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025
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Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
Some of our employees have lost homes, many are displaced, but then there are other parts of the city that are OK.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
Xavi Hernandez was the manager at the time, and he's since been replaced by Flick after agreeing to see out his contract until June 30, 2025, but then getting the boot for publicly discussing the club's financial restraints.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Temperatures will rebound beginning Sunday afternoon and into Monday reaching highs in the mid to upper 70s, but then a stronger cold front will hit the region dragging temperatures lower beginning Tuesday morning.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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