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
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Some staffing levels fell so low that flights were canceled, which had a domino effect at airports across the country. Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Flights in late afternoon are statistically more likely to be disrupted, as flight delays and cancellations in the morning tend to create a domino effect, causing a backlog that grows as the day wears on. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 Rager appeared to stumble first, sparking a domino effect. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026 Paulette Byars, owner of Perfect Praise Academy in Fort Worth’s Morningside neighborhood, said funding delays would’ve created a negative domino effect to all sides of her program. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for domino effect

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domino effect was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Domino effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20effect. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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