plural knock-on effects
chiefly British
: an indirect or secondary effect
The heat wave has had critical knock-on effects. Surging electricity demand and stress on the power grid triggered power outages …—
Umair Irfan
Umair IrfanOver the past 12 months, asking prices [for houses] have gone up by 9.5%. This has a knock-on effect for renters. UK rents rose by 8.3% in the last three months …—theguardian.com (London)
compare domino effect, ripple effect
theguardian.com (London)Examples of knock-on effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Half of the hit PVH is seeing comes from its business directly in the Middle East, where wholesale partners have been impacted, as well as in Turkey, which is feeling a knock-on effect.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Not just for the experience, but for the positive knock-on effects your stay will have for the local area, its wildlife, and its people.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Frimpong’s omission will have a knock-on effect for Donyell Malen.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Declines in federal funding have had knock-on effects.
—Eric Welch, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock-on effect
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Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
Not just for the experience, but for the positive knock-on effects your stay will have for the local area, its wildlife, and its people.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Frimpong’s omission will have a knock-on effect for Donyell Malen.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Declines in federal funding have had knock-on effects.
—Eric Welch, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock-on effect
Cite this Entry
“Knock-on effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock-on%20effect. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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