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
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Many immigrant families have expressed fear in going outside and buying groceries from mom and pop shops, a decision that Sarmiento said has a ripple effect on the entire economy.
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Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Asking questions such as these in the boardroom can cause a ripple effect throughout society about how trust is built and maintained as new technologies reshape our daily lives.
—Lara Abrash, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Small adjustments now have a ripple effect on your reputation and productivity.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
That message has ripple effects, influencing public policy and reshaping markets.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Asking questions such as these in the boardroom can cause a ripple effect throughout society about how trust is built and maintained as new technologies reshape our daily lives.
—Lara Abrash, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Small adjustments now have a ripple effect on your reputation and productivity.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
That message has ripple effects, influencing public policy and reshaping markets.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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 28 Jan. 2026.
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