aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
ˈaf-tər-ə-ˌfekt 
: an effect that follows its cause after an interval
Examples of aftereffect in a Sentence
in the U.S. slavery was abolished in 1865, but its aftereffects remained keenly felt long afterwards
Recent Examples on the Web
But research increasingly shows that the aftereffects of disasters last longer, and extend to more domains of our lives, than official death tolls can capture.
—
Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
While the big luxury brands spent the pandemic and post-pandemic era driving up prices on shoppers who were sitting at home and looking to spend, the sector is now feeling the aftereffects with much shakier sales in a challenging consumer landscape.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
The journalist Beth Macy, who in her previous books chronicled the widening fissures in American society by examining the opioid crisis and the aftereffects of globalization, grew up there.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
What To Know According to footage filmed by witness Ryan Garza, several officers can be seen rubbing their eyes, squinting, and struggling with the aftereffects of the gas on October 4.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftereffect
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.
Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
While the big luxury brands spent the pandemic and post-pandemic era driving up prices on shoppers who were sitting at home and looking to spend, the sector is now feeling the aftereffects with much shakier sales in a challenging consumer landscape.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
The journalist Beth Macy, who in her previous books chronicled the widening fissures in American society by examining the opioid crisis and the aftereffects of globalization, grew up there.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
What To Know According to footage filmed by witness Ryan Garza, several officers can be seen rubbing their eyes, squinting, and struggling with the aftereffects of the gas on October 4.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftereffect
Cite this Entry
“Aftereffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftereffect. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
-ə-ˌfekt
: an effect that arises after the first or immediate effect has decreased or disappeared
a medicine with no noticeable aftereffects
Medical Definition
aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
ˈaf-tə-ri-ˌfekt
1
: an effect that follows its cause after an interval
the aftereffects of surgery
2
: a secondary result especially in the action of a drug coming on after the subsidence of the first effect
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share