aftershock

noun

Definition of aftershocknext
1
as in shock

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in afterglow

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aftershock Jorge Rodríguez said there were no reports of additional damage, but the latest aftershock sent residents in the capital of Caracas screaming into the streets. — Juan Pablo Arraez, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Jorge Rodríguez said there were no reports of additional damage, but the latest aftershock sent residents in the capital, Caracas, screaming into the streets. — Juan Pablo Arraez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 The aftershocks from the tech selloff continue to reverberate across global markets. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 24 June 2026 While one earthquake can trigger another, called an aftershock, Schmandt said there doesn't appear to be any such relationship between the Cuba and Philippines quakes. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aftershock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aftershock
  1. shock
  2. afterglow
  3. quake
  4. repercussion
  5. foreshock
  6. fallout
  7. tremor
  8. denouement
Noun
  • The average price of a gallon of diesel has soared 55% since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February set off a historic oil shock, AAA data showed.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Early warning of shocks to the food system—such as extreme weather, supply disruptions, economic turbulence—buys critical time for preparation and response.
    — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • Actually colder than the cosmic microwave background, the faint afterglow of the Big Bang itself.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • And with the World Cup’s rosy afterglow feeding the notion that the United States might have finally become a soccer nation, Apple would have been remiss not to ride that wave.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of afterglow
Noun
  • The quake caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and roads, while also disrupting food supplies across multiple areas.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That quake was also located about 3 miles outside of Bedminster.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of quake
Noun
  • Though sympathetic to the onslaught of treatments Zai is facing, the meek, protective Minoti warns her of the repercussions of rebellion.
    — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The employee asked not to be named out of fear of professional repercussions.
    — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of repercussion
Noun
  • The second quake is considered the mainshock, while the first was a foreshock, USGS said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Jones says that this most recent set of quakes could be foreshocks for a much larger event.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Definition of foreshock
Noun
  • Kyle Whittingham was set to erase any talk of what the Wolverines’ offseason was all about – dealing with the fallout of the Sherrone Moore scandal.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • For those feeling grim about Milwaukee’s local music scene post-The Garage’s closure and no-play list fallout, look no further for artist solidarity than the library.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of fallout
Noun
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tremor
Noun
  • Any larger Hollywood studio would have likely insisted on a grander finale, but The Death of Robin Hood, produced by A24, left me pondering the foolishness of my need for such a denouement.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
  • Margaret’s leadership also makes possible the movie’s titular dénouement, the revelation of the footage that will offer the world proof of the presence of alien life.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of denouement

Browse Nearby Words

afters
aftershock
aftershocks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aftershock. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on aftershock

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aftershock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All