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
With the benchmark rate now at levels last seen before the most aggressive tightening cycle in decades, the broader lending environment is poised to feel the ripple effects.
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
If there are no zooplankton around, there can be a ripple effect up the food chain, especially on the fish that depend on zooplankton.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
There are ripple effects when those workers are unavailable.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025
The ripple effect for other bowls would be felt from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripple effect
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
If there are no zooplankton around, there can be a ripple effect up the food chain, especially on the fish that depend on zooplankton.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
There are ripple effects when those workers are unavailable.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025
The ripple effect for other bowls would be felt from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 2 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 18 Dec. 2025.
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