ripple effect

noun

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

Examples of ripple effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats, then, are anticipating that Sessions’s resignation, and its consequences, will have ripple effects far beyond this week. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "House Democrats are already trying to protect the Mueller investigation," 8 Nov. 2018 The inadequate automated testing and/or the disregard for test failures means in turn that the Windows developers can't be confident that modifications and fixes do not have ripple effects. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft’s problem isn’t how often it updates Windows—it’s how it develops it," 20 Oct. 2018 Matt’s death isn’t just explored through Leigh, but through other characters who knew him, allowing the show to trace the ripple effects one person has on the world. — Pilot Viruet, The Verge, "The 12 best overlooked TV shows of 2018," 14 Dec. 2018 Gretzky tirelessly explained and promoted hockey in California and precincts beyond, inspiring kids to skate and creating a lasting ripple effect. — Helene Elliott, latimes.com, "The Great One and The King: Two transcendent athletes changing L.A. landscape 30 years apart," 3 July 2018 The resulting collision created a ripple effect, said Staarmann, that is similar to what happens when one punches a calm pool of water. — Anthony R. Wood, Philly.com, "A spectacular 'bore:' Rare cloud formation visits Jersey Shore," 21 May 2018 While the case has no direct impact on US intelligence gathering, the case could have a ripple effect because of the close connections between US and UK intelligence and law enforcement organizations. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "“Bulk interception” by GCHQ (and NSA) violated human rights charter, European court rules," 13 Sep. 2018 Doing something that messes with your circadian rhythms could possibly change this process and have a ripple effect on your period. — Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "Can Traveling Really Make Your Period Late?," 10 Aug. 2018 In Afghanistan, families tend to be large and close-knit, and the journalists' deaths, like nearly all in the conflict, had a devastating ripple effect. — Laura King, latimes.com, "Work of slain Afghan journalists provided intimate, wrenching look at country's long conflict," 30 Apr. 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.