bandwagon effect

noun

: the phenomenon by which the growing success of something (such as a cause, fad, or type of behavior) attracts more widespread support or adoption as more people perceive and are influenced by its increasing popularity
During recent presidential elections it has become vital for candidates to win early party primaries in several states to start a bandwagon effect. Most people withhold support and contributions until they are sure the candidate has a good chance to win. Campaign "momentum" is highly prized because it creates a bandwagon effect that brings even more supporters into the fold.Hy Ruchlis et al.
Researchers have found two factors that may account for momentum's success. I call the first the bandwagon effect. As a stock keeps outperforming the market, more and more investors "discover" it and jump on board—propelling it even further ahead of the market and seducing still more buyers.Mark Hulbert

Examples of bandwagon effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And then there is the bandwagon effect: No one wants to be cruising a highway in a Fiat 500, feeling vulnerable as everyone else lords above them in Tahoes, Expeditions, and Escalades. Max Holleran, The New Republic, 25 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bandwagon effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bandwagon effect was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near bandwagon effect

Cite this Entry

“Bandwagon effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwagon%20effect. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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