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, 14 Dec. 2025
The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a caution about possible aftershocks in the coming days.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
This number of aftershocks is not uncommon after a significant seismic event as the crust readjusts along the fault lines.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The whole concept of theatrical distribution that makes up so much of the foundation of the business is now in question, as the aftershocks of COVID and the rise of the streamers continue to challenge our assumptions about how audiences consume content.
—Phil Stark, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
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Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025
The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a caution about possible aftershocks in the coming days.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
This number of aftershocks is not uncommon after a significant seismic event as the crust readjusts along the fault lines.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
The whole concept of theatrical distribution that makes up so much of the foundation of the business is now in question, as the aftershocks of COVID and the rise of the streamers continue to challenge our assumptions about how audiences consume content.
—Phil Stark, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 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 17 Dec. 2025.
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