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
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
The Court is of the view that a risk of significant harm may also be present in situations where significant harm to the environment is caused by the cumulative effect of different acts undertaken by various States and by private actors subject to their respective jurisdiction or control.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The cumulative effect determines whether people become raving fans or silent detractors.
—Archer Chiang, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The Guards member said that the cumulative effect of the near-daily explosions — even if some of them were accidents — was a growing sense of anxiety among both officials and Iranians more broadly.
—Erika Solomon, New York Times, 23 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.
Leily Nikounazar Arash Khamooshi, New York Times, 26 July 2025
The Court is of the view that a risk of significant harm may also be present in situations where significant harm to the environment is caused by the cumulative effect of different acts undertaken by various States and by private actors subject to their respective jurisdiction or control.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The cumulative effect determines whether people become raving fans or silent detractors.
—Archer Chiang, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
The Guards member said that the cumulative effect of the near-daily explosions — even if some of them were accidents — was a growing sense of anxiety among both officials and Iranians more broadly.
—Erika Solomon, New York Times, 23 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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share