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

Advertisement Thus, the crisis of liberal democracy after 9/11 might be better understood not simply as a blowback from the war on terror, but as an aftershock of socialism’s collapse. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Variety’s first print edition following the attacks ran 20 pages, mostly stocked with coverage of the day’s events and their aftershocks. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

The regimes that employed Elwood gave rise to a decade of violence and instability in the Middle East, the aftershocks of which are still being felt. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Thousands of people across the island slept outdoors, fearing aftershocks. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 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