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
That quake resulted in aftershocks that also reactivated seismic activity around Joshua Tree.
—
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
What To Know The initial earthquake, which struck near Yakutat on Saturday sent tremors across southeastern Alaska and parts of Canada, with aftershocks continuing throughout the day.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
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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
What To Know The initial earthquake, which struck near Yakutat on Saturday sent tremors across southeastern Alaska and parts of Canada, with aftershocks continuing throughout the day.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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 26 Dec. 2025.
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