butterfly effect
noun
: a property of chaotic systems (such as the atmosphere) by which small changes in initial conditions can lead to large-scale and unpredictable variation in the future state of the system
Examples of butterfly effect in a Sentence
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The butterfly effect Llamas landed the Telemundo gig soon after a serendipitous career day at Belen Jesuit Prep when local anchor Louis Aguirre, then with Channel 10, returned to his alma mater.
—
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
In our view, the butterfly effect began in the winter of 2024, when Michigan declined to recruit a quarterback from the transfer portal and, instead, leaned into a collection of unproven, marginally-talented options.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
But in this case, hindsight is not 20-20, because who knows how the butterfly effect would have impacted the lottery if the Heat were instead at No. 11 at Monday night’s drawing?
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Every action has a butterfly effect that impacts the decisionmaker and those around them.
—Richard Newby, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for butterfly effect
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Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
In our view, the butterfly effect began in the winter of 2024, when Michigan declined to recruit a quarterback from the transfer portal and, instead, leaned into a collection of unproven, marginally-talented options.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
But in this case, hindsight is not 20-20, because who knows how the butterfly effect would have impacted the lottery if the Heat were instead at No. 11 at Monday night’s drawing?
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
Every action has a butterfly effect that impacts the decisionmaker and those around them.
—Richard Newby, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for butterfly effect
Cite this Entry
“Butterfly effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly%20effect. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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