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

The long deployment has had a ripple effect on families who expected relatives to be home for weddings, graduations and other milestones. — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

An injury to standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil caused ripple effects through the unit. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

De la Espriella’s focus on pleasing Washington will have ripple effects on migration, security and economic relations between the two countries, experts say. — Adam Shanks, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Eisenstein said the combination of tariffs, higher prices and uncertainty surrounding vehicle sales could create a ripple effect across the automotive sector despite improvements in overall vehicle quality. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 18 Aug. 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