after vs afterwards

after is an adjective but afterwards is not an adjective.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
after	No	Yes	No	Yes
afterwards	No	No	No	Yes

As adverbs, after and afterwards are synonyms defined as:

after and afterwards: happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

Other synonyms of after include afterward, later, later on, subsequently.

after (adjective)	afterwards (adjective)
located farther aft

after (adverb)	afterwards (adverb)
behind or in the rear	happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time