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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In the TikTok trend, the song is used to underscore examples of the butterfly effect, which shows how people get the good things in their lives through random circumstances.
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 May 2025
Similar to a butterfly effect, a loss event that happens in a specific industry or geography can create a chain reaction with wide repercussions.
—Vince Tizzio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Every action has a butterfly effect that impacts the decisionmaker and those around them.
—Richard Newby, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
In chaos theory, there’s a concept known as the butterfly effect—the idea that a seemingly small action, occurring at just the right moment, can trigger ripple effects that grow across time and space.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for butterfly effect
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 May 2025
Similar to a butterfly effect, a loss event that happens in a specific industry or geography can create a chain reaction with wide repercussions.
—Vince Tizzio, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Every action has a butterfly effect that impacts the decisionmaker and those around them.
—Richard Newby, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
In chaos theory, there’s a concept known as the butterfly effect—the idea that a seemingly small action, occurring at just the right moment, can trigger ripple effects that grow across time and space.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 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 20 May. 2025.
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