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
Additionally, the cumulative effect of ADHD drug treatment may lead to additive improvements over time, whereas negative consequences may accumulate the longer an individual goes untreated.
—
Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The cumulative effect of these decisions has raised concerns about the potential for an imbalance in the system of governance.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
The cumulative effect of crises on top of crises — from war, to daily explosions suspected to be sabotage, to skyrocketing inflation, to water and power cuts — has many Iranians reeling.
—Leily Nikounazar Arash Khamooshi, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Before Don the Beachcomber, Americans had never had cocktails like this, ones filled with tropical fruit, heavy spice, and rums mixed together for cumulative effect.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
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.
Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The cumulative effect of these decisions has raised concerns about the potential for an imbalance in the system of governance.
—Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 8 Aug. 2025
The cumulative effect of crises on top of crises — from war, to daily explosions suspected to be sabotage, to skyrocketing inflation, to water and power cuts — has many Iranians reeling.
—Leily Nikounazar Arash Khamooshi, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Before Don the Beachcomber, Americans had never had cocktails like this, ones filled with tropical fruit, heavy spice, and rums mixed together for cumulative effect.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
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 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share