aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
ˈaf-tər-ə-ˌfekt 
: an effect that follows its cause after an interval
Synonyms
Examples of aftereffect in a Sentence
in the U.S. slavery was abolished in 1865, but its aftereffects remained keenly felt long afterwards
Recent Examples on the Web
Also, economic data can be highly influenced by events outside of a president’s control, such as war or extreme weather — or a global pandemic and its aftereffects.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Leone recounts the various decisions—or lack thereof—made by BP that led to cleanup workers’ later allegations of severe respiratory illness, among other devastating aftereffects.
—Marnie Shure, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Along with being a bracingly honest reckoning with trauma and its aftereffects, Evergreen is also musically right-up-front.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
Children were abused and the aftereffects of that abuse continue to ripple years after these crimes were committed.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aftereffect 
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Alicia Wallace, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Leone recounts the various decisions—or lack thereof—made by BP that led to cleanup workers’ later allegations of severe respiratory illness, among other devastating aftereffects.
—Marnie Shure, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
Along with being a bracingly honest reckoning with trauma and its aftereffects, Evergreen is also musically right-up-front.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
Children were abused and the aftereffects of that abuse continue to ripple years after these crimes were committed.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aftereffect
Dictionary Entries Near aftereffect
Cite this Entry
“Aftereffect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftereffect. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
-ə-ˌfekt
: an effect that arises after the first or immediate effect has decreased or disappeared
a medicine with no noticeable aftereffects
Medical Definition
aftereffect
noun
af·ter·ef·fect
ˈaf-tə-ri-ˌfekt
1
: an effect that follows its cause after an interval
the aftereffects of surgery
2
: a secondary result especially in the action of a drug coming on after the subsidence of the first effect
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