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

But aren’t aftershocks usually much smaller than the initial quake? —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026

The agency warned that aftershocks of a similar magnitude could happen in the coming week. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026

In the early 1980s, the network stood on the verge of bankruptcy and subsequent leaders were forced to deal with the aftershocks. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026

During the 2020 pandemic, for example, recovery was already underway by April of that same year, though the economic aftershocks — such soaring prices and higher interest rates — were felt for years. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 Apr. 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