ripple effect

noun

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of ripple effect

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

the automotive industry has a ripple effect on many other industries

— compare domino effect

See ripple effect defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of ripple effect from the Web

The policy would have ripple effects far beyond Planned Parenthood.

— Philly.com, "Trump administration will pull funds from groups that perform abortions or provide referrals," 18 May 2018
Ohio's largest single payer of health costs is Medicaid; cutting that program will have ripple effects throughout the healthcare industry.

— guest columnist/cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Government's biggest cuts hurt America's smallest citizens: Ben Stein (Opinion)," 22 Apr. 2018
The warrants are often a ripple effect of how courts handle debt collection.

— audrey dutton and scott berson, idahostatesman, "Idaho courts issue arrest warrants over debt — and you may not know it, ACLU says | Idaho Statesman," 16 Mar. 2018
Work requirements, therefore, will push people further into poverty, and there will be dangerous ripple effects.

— sarah jones, New Republic, "Work requirements for Medicaid will actually increase poverty.," 2 Feb. 2018
Speculation about a blockbuster deal that would have far-reaching ripple effects in the NBA ran rampant Friday after sources told the Express-News that Leonard wants out of San Antonio.

— tom orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Potential trade partners for Leonard will line up on both coasts," 15 June 2018
The increased supply of bills has caused their prices to fall and their yields—which move inversely—to rise, causing ripple effects in short-term money markets.

— katy burne, WSJ, "Fed Adjusts How It Raises Short-Term Rates to Keep Them Anchored," 13 June 2018
The ruling could have a ripple effect in ongoing sanctuary city litigation around the country, where a number of cities and states have sued over administration efforts to punish them.

— tal kopan, CNN, "Judge slaps Sessions, feds over 'sanctuary cities'," 6 June 2018
Welington Castillo’s failed drug test and the Chicago White Sox’s injury problems are causing a ripple effect in the organization.

— steve lyttle, charlotteobserver, "The Charlotte Knights are feeling the effect of a suspension and injuries in Chicago | Charlotte Observer," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ripple effect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.