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
El Niño is a natural climate cycle that happens when the tropical Pacific Ocean warms enough to trigger shifts in wind patterns throughout the atmosphere, which has a ripple effect on weather conditions worldwide.
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Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There are ripple effects as well.
—Deepti Hajela, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
When a clinician on a high-acuity team at AllHealth Network had to step away unexpectedly due to a family emergency, there could have been a negative ripple effect on the clients in their care.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
But Line argues the tradeoff could create ripple effects far beyond Colorado Boulevard itself.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ripple effect
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Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There are ripple effects as well.
—Deepti Hajela, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
When a clinician on a high-acuity team at AllHealth Network had to step away unexpectedly due to a family emergency, there could have been a negative ripple effect on the clients in their care.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
But Line argues the tradeoff could create ripple effects far beyond Colorado Boulevard itself.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 May 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 17 May. 2026.
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