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
Even small adjustments now will have an unusually large ripple effect later on.
—
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Small shifts now can have major ripple effects.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
People are worried 2026 could bring another bust, maybe worse, with ripple effects like more small town hospitals and schools closing.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 29 Dec. 2025
Jonas Ekstromer | Afp | Getty Images The ripple effects from Europe’s growing appetite for raw materials extend all the way to Sweden’s far north.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple effect
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Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Small shifts now can have major ripple effects.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
People are worried 2026 could bring another bust, maybe worse, with ripple effects like more small town hospitals and schools closing.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 29 Dec. 2025
Jonas Ekstromer | Afp | Getty Images The ripple effects from Europe’s growing appetite for raw materials extend all the way to Sweden’s far north.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Dec. 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 7 Jan. 2026.
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