rippled; rippling
ˈri-p(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves
b
: to flow in small waves
c
: to fall in soft undulating folds
the scarf rippled to the floor
2
: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
laughter rippled over the audience
3
: to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples
the canoe rippled through the water
4
: to have or produce a ripple effect : spread
the news rippled outwards
1
: to stir up small waves on
2
: to impart a wavy motion or appearance to
rippling his arm muscles
3
: to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound
1
a
: a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream
b(1)
: the ruffling of the surface of water
(2)
: a small wave
2
a
b
: a sound like that of rippling water
a ripple of laughter
c
: a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction
Examples of ripple in a Sentence
Verb
Water rippled under the dock.
We could see the lion's muscles ripple.
A cool breeze rippled the water.
Noun
The pebble made ripples in the pond when I threw it in.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Buzz around gold has rippled through markets this year — but silver has been quietly going along for the ride, culminating in a new record high that analysts say could double in the coming years.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
While the novel examines clashes between diverging approaches to justice, honor, and community, its looping chronology illustrates the inescapable ripples of national and family histories.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple
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Verb
Lawmakers are bracing for another Senate vote attempting to end the government shutdown as the impact of funding drying up continues to ripple across the country nearly two weeks into the standoff.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Buzz around gold has rippled through markets this year — but silver has been quietly going along for the ride, culminating in a new record high that analysts say could double in the coming years.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
Each of these creatures of light multiplied into subqueries and side queries, a glowing menagerie of exotic life-forms crisscrossing the void, their wakes and ripples gradually illuminating the entirety of the submarine cave.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
While the novel examines clashes between diverging approaches to justice, honor, and community, its looping chronology illustrates the inescapable ripples of national and family histories.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple
Cite this Entry
“Ripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ripple
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the disturbing of the surface of water
b
: a small wave or a mark like a small wave
2
: a sound like that of rippling water
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