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
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
The aftereffects of the Simchat Torah massacre, when more civilian blood was spilled and on Israeli soil, livestreamed for the whole world to see, are certain to be as wide-reaching.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to the potential aftereffects of treatment, all cancer survivors have to deal with other concerns such as the continuing fear of recurrence.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
For example, unusual aftereffects called echoes, generated as gravitational waves bounce off a firewall or other structure near the horizon, might appear after an initial signal.
—Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 27 Aug. 2025
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Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The aftereffects of the Simchat Torah massacre, when more civilian blood was spilled and on Israeli soil, livestreamed for the whole world to see, are certain to be as wide-reaching.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to the potential aftereffects of treatment, all cancer survivors have to deal with other concerns such as the continuing fear of recurrence.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
For example, unusual aftereffects called echoes, generated as gravitational waves bounce off a firewall or other structure near the horizon, might appear after an initial signal.
—Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 27 Aug. 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 31 Oct. 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
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