aftershock
noun
af·ter·shock
ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk 
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
The team is still dealing with the aftershock of losing their best player.
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
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said in a social media post that authorities had the situation under control and also urged the population to be on alert for aftershocks.
—
CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The aftershocks eventually migrated north, away from the San Andreas.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
There’s no precise technical division between aftershocks and swarms, though.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a caution about possible aftershocks in the coming days.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
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CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The aftershocks eventually migrated north, away from the San Andreas.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
There’s no precise technical division between aftershocks and swarms, though.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a caution about possible aftershocks in the coming days.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
Cite this Entry
“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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