aftershock
noun
af·ter·shock
ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk 
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
For an island whose economy has long wrestled with the effects and aftershocks of natural disasters, fiscal crises, and inconsistent tourism, this is a very significant boost.
—
Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Two powerful aftershocks struck eastern Afghanistan 12 hours apart, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction on Friday in a region where earthquakes have killed about 2,200 people as rescuers battled mountainous terrain and harsh weather.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
At least 1,411 were killed and 3,124 others injured after the 6.0-magnitude quake struck towns and villages close to the Pakistan border on Sunday, causing strong aftershocks in Kabul, according to Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
The first strong quake struck at about 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday and was followed by four weaker-but-still-powerful aftershocks into Monday, the USGS said.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
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Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Two powerful aftershocks struck eastern Afghanistan 12 hours apart, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction on Friday in a region where earthquakes have killed about 2,200 people as rescuers battled mountainous terrain and harsh weather.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
At least 1,411 were killed and 3,124 others injured after the 6.0-magnitude quake struck towns and villages close to the Pakistan border on Sunday, causing strong aftershocks in Kabul, according to Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
The first strong quake struck at about 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday and was followed by four weaker-but-still-powerful aftershocks into Monday, the USGS said.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
Cite this Entry
“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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