posthumously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "posthumously" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that occurs after a person's death, such as an award or publication. Example: "The author received a posthumously published novel that was completed by a friend after his passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Lubitz wanted fame, he was rewarded posthumously.

The Guardian

In his last speech, released posthumously, Bin Laden gave no hint of any such thoughts.

The Guardian

Among the many allegations Hughes makes posthumously in Ed Moloney's book Voices from the Grave is that Adams gave the order that the IRA should not only murder Jean McConville but that the west Belfast mother of 10 be buried in secret, or "disappeared".

The Guardian

We have no way of knowing if Turner would have wanted to paint the traffic jams at Windermere or if Wordsworth would have composed a sonnet in praise of Beatrix Potter - posthumously one of Cumbria's greatest attractions and likely to become more so now the film of her life and work has hit the cinemas.

The Guardian - Travel

William stayed as an 11-year-old from 1922, when the first collection of stories came out, until 1970, when William the Lawless, the last book, was published posthumously – in it, he gets a Beatles LP as a birthday present (John Lennon was a fan).

The Guardian - Books

While some notes published in his lifetime mention things that did not need to be acted upon – like using a Rembrandt as an ironing board – the notes that became available posthumously include the following: "take one cubic centimetre of tobacco smoke and paint the exterior and the interior surfaces a waterproof colour"; "trace a straight line on Rodin's The Kiss as seen from a sight".

The Guardian - Arts

The Panthéon in Paris has a six-month exhibition to commemorate his exploits as a pioneer pilot, and his reputation as a humanist author of five slim books plus the philosophical-religious message published posthumously as Wisdom Of The Sands.

The Guardian - Books

Death, once the finite end to a celebrity career, is now only a marker for the next stage, and digitally resurrected celebrities – be they Paul Walker or Audrey Hepburn – are now posthumously making their way back onto our screens.

The Guardian

Monis has posthumously led the court through a hall of mirrors.

The Guardian

In the past week alone, it brought in two big decisions against its main whistleblowers: the lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was found posthumously guilty of committing tax fraud, and a judge announced he would soon issue a verdict against corruption activist Alexei Navalny.

The Guardian

Three decades after his death, his son, Christopher Tolkien, has compiled "The Children of Hurin", gathering his material from subplots in three of Tolkien's books (including "The Silmarillion" which was also published posthumously) plus notes that the great man jotted down throughout his career.All the standard fare is here.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "posthumously" to clearly indicate that an event or action occurred after someone's death, adding a sense of finality or legacy to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "posthumously" when referring to events that occurred while the person was still alive. This adverb specifically denotes actions or recognitions that happen after death.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "posthumously" modifies verbs to indicate that an action, event, or recognition occurs after someone's death. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "posthumously" precisely indicates that something occurs after someone's death. It is considered grammatically correct and has a "Very common" frequency, appearing most often in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its formal yet widely applicable nature. When using "posthumously", ensure it accurately reflects the timing of the event in relation to the person's death to avoid misattribution. Alternatives like "after death" or "following death" can offer stylistic variation while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after one's death

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase, focusing on the timing.

subsequent to death

A more formal and emphatic way of saying after death.

following death

Similar to 'after death' but emphasizes the sequence of events.

after passing

A more gentle and euphemistic way to express the timing.

in memoriam

Used especially for dedications or tributes after someone has died.

after demise

Emphasizes the end of life as a condition for the subsequent event.

as a deceased person

Highlights the condition of the person at the time of the event.

from beyond the grave

A more figurative and dramatic way to describe actions after death.

in the afterlife

Refers to events happening in a hypothetical existence after death.

at the time of their passing

Emphasizes the moment of death as a reference point.

FAQs

What does "posthumously" mean?

"Posthumously" means after someone has died, typically referring to events that occur or awards that are given after a person's death.

How can I use "posthumously" in a sentence?

You can use "posthumously" to describe something that happens after someone's death. For example, "The book was "published posthumously" after the author's passing."

What are some alternatives to saying "posthumously"?

Alternatives include phrases like "after death", "subsequent to death", or "following death", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "posthumously" to describe something that happened shortly before someone's death?

No, "posthumously" refers specifically to events that occur after death. If something happened shortly before, use phrases like "shortly before their death" or "in their final days".