aftershock
noun
af·ter·shock
ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk 
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
2
: a minor shock following the main shock of an earthquake
Examples of aftershock in a Sentence
The first aftershock came just minutes after the earthquake.
Recent Examples on the Web
The aftershock of the skirmish did very little to kill Drake’s overall momentum.
—
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
The United States Geological Survey is urging the region to prepare for aftershocks of smaller magnitude.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Statistical models based on past earthquakes suggested there could be up to 27 aftershocks of magnitude 2 or greater over the next week, the USGS said.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The aftershock will likely last for the next couple of days, Russell told Fortune.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Neither foreshocks nor aftershocks can be bigger than the mainshock.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
There were several aftershocks later in the day, including one with a magnitude of 4.0.
—Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Some residents in Hualien spent the night outside as the threat of more damage from aftershocks continued.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
More than 100 aftershocks, including one with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, also near Hualien, have struck the island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Joyce Huang, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
The United States Geological Survey is urging the region to prepare for aftershocks of smaller magnitude.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Statistical models based on past earthquakes suggested there could be up to 27 aftershocks of magnitude 2 or greater over the next week, the USGS said.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The aftershock will likely last for the next couple of days, Russell told Fortune.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Neither foreshocks nor aftershocks can be bigger than the mainshock.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
There were several aftershocks later in the day, including one with a magnitude of 4.0.
—Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Some residents in Hualien spent the night outside as the threat of more damage from aftershocks continued.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
More than 100 aftershocks, including one with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, also near Hualien, have struck the island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
—Joyce Huang, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aftershock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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