ripple effect

noun

: a spreading, pervasive, and usually unintentional effect or influence
the automotive industry has a ripple effect on many other industries
compare domino effect

Examples of ripple effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And that has its own ripple effects. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 23 June 2026 But the ripple effects of the massive company can be felt far beyond the boardrooms and theme parks. — Megan Dubois, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 By design, discoveries along the way would have ripple effects later in the story. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 24 June 2026 The ripple effect of food insecurity around the world from Ukraine’s inability to ship its normally massive grain crops. — Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ripple effect

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ripple effect was in 1966

Rhymes for ripple effect

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Browse Nearby Words

ripple
ripple effect
ripple fire
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Cite this Entry

“Ripple effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple%20effect. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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