cumulative effect
noun
: an effect produced by something happening over a long period of time
the cumulative effect(s) of smoking on the body
Examples of cumulative effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This cumulative effect has made USA Fencing redouble its outreach to Hollywood, especially given the location of the 2028 games.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 May 2026
The cumulative effect is measurable.
—Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The cumulative effect is institutional erosion.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Besides, the cumulative effect of Molo’s sustained effort to demand Altman’s self-incrimination seemed to remind the courtroom that most of us, irrespective of our own faults, tend to think of ourselves as credible people doing our best.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cumulative effect
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 May 2026
The cumulative effect is measurable.
—Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The cumulative effect is institutional erosion.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Besides, the cumulative effect of Molo’s sustained effort to demand Altman’s self-incrimination seemed to remind the courtroom that most of us, irrespective of our own faults, tend to think of ourselves as credible people doing our best.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cumulative effect
Cite this Entry
“Cumulative effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cumulative%20effect. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
