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

There’s no precise technical division between aftershocks and swarms, though. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

These aftershocks are usually less violent than the main quake, but not always. —Pat Harvey, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Unlike the familiar pattern of a single large earthquake followed by aftershocks, swarms consist of many small quakes without a clear mainshock. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

So with the aftershocks of Djokovic’s surprise announcement still reverberating, two people briefed on the PTPA’s plans going forward described the discussions among their adversaries as a sign of their organization’s continuing vitality. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 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
• isopach
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock