aftershock

noun

af·​ter·​shock ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk How to pronounce aftershock (audio)
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
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
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After the offshore earthquake, the institute recorded several aftershocks, many more than 4-magnitude. Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025 When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. William B. Davis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which recorded multiple aftershocks close to the epicenter in the hours after the initial earthquake, canceled a tsunami alert for the Leyte, Biliran and Cebu provinces early Wednesday local time. Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 Director Teresito Bacolcol said damage and aftershocks were expected. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aftershock

Word History

Etymology

after- + shock entry 1

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aftershock was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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