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

Luz Noguera and her family were among those temporarily displaced by the earthquake and its aftershocks. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 8 July 2026

Naomi Sharon Moves Through Sound, Not Noise Her work has always carried a certain emotional weather system—soft storms, aftershocks of intimacy, the kind of sadness that doesn’t ask permission to sound beautiful. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Whether Anaheim matches the offer or takes the four first-round draft picks, there will be aftershocks. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

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, 7 July 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