ripple effect

noun

: a spreading, pervasive, and usually unintentional effect or influence

the automotive industry has a ripple effect on many other industries

compare domino effect

Examples of ripple effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Media coverage of Kreiz’s courtship of Rice is one of the spurs that pushed Netflix to make the move on a hire that will have ripple effects across its expansive film and TV operations. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Why are there different consequences, ramifications, ripple effects? — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Murray’s absence created tough ripple effects on an already thin backcourt. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Religion Perhaps the biggest case of the term so far, in terms of ripple effects, involves religion, a subject on which the court's conservative super majority has dramatically changed its legal doctrine. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ripple effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct