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
Its ripple effects extend to the world’s greatest sports stages with over 1,200 athletes, from 125 countries having NCAA ties at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
—
Danette Leighton, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
By contrast, flights later in the day often depend on aircraft arriving from elsewhere—if one of those planes runs late, the ripple effects can cascade across the system.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
And the ripple effect that occurs if that individual doesn’t succeed will have lasting effects far beyond this moment.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 22 Sep. 2025
When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching, causing widespread disruption across borders.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple 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.
Danette Leighton, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
By contrast, flights later in the day often depend on aircraft arriving from elsewhere—if one of those planes runs late, the ripple effects can cascade across the system.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025
And the ripple effect that occurs if that individual doesn’t succeed will have lasting effects far beyond this moment.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 22 Sep. 2025
When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching, causing widespread disruption across borders.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple effect
Cite this Entry
“Ripple effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple%20effect. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share