domino effect

noun

plural domino effects

: a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events compare ripple effect

Examples of domino effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a scenario with very high emissions, our results show a potential faster domino effect. — Robert Kopp, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

This creates a domino effect whereby each team makes locally rational decisions without regard for the downstream implications. — Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

If that wasn’t bad enough, the dead satellites would start crashing into things, creating cascades of high-speed debris that could destroy most remaining satellites in a catastrophic domino effect called Kessler syndrome. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

This has caused a domino effect in which inflation rose, then borrowing costs, then mortgage rates. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domino effect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• eject