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

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami but warned aftershocks could continue. —ABC News, 15 June 2026

While one earthquake can trigger another, called an aftershock, Schmandt said there doesn't appear to be any such relationship between the Cuba and Philippines quakes. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Such temblors are typically aftershocks caused by minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake. —William B. Davis, New York Times, 9 June 2026

Authorities have warned that buildings that sustained cracks could collapse due to aftershocks, some of them dangerously powerful. —Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

after- + shock entry 1

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aftershock

• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk