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
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.
And that ripple effect is how systemic change begins. Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 The ripple effects of the Medicaid and food stamp provisions will reverberate across public colleges and universities. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 14 July 2025 For fintech firms that rely on thin margins to offer free or low-cost services to customers, even slight disruptions to their cost structure can have major ripple effects. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 11 July 2025 The economic ripple effects of lower prices may already be visible. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ripple effect

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ripple effect was in 1966

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Cite this Entry

“Ripple effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple%20effect. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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