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
Few players are willing to show up to the rink feeling the aftereffects of a late night out.
—
Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Many Texans remember the aftereffects of Winter Storm Uri, when electricity rates hit the market cap of $9 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
—Caitlin Ritchie, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025
The history of energy extraction in Pennsylvania is marked by long-term, unintended consequences triggered by the rapid adoption of new technologies, from the lingering aftereffects of coal mining in the 19th and 20th centuries to more recent harm caused by fracking in the 21st.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 30 May 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for aftereffect 
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Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Many Texans remember the aftereffects of Winter Storm Uri, when electricity rates hit the market cap of $9 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
—Caitlin Ritchie, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025
The history of energy extraction in Pennsylvania is marked by long-term, unintended consequences triggered by the rapid adoption of new technologies, from the lingering aftereffects of coal mining in the 19th and 20th centuries to more recent harm caused by fracking in the 21st.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 30 May 2024
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
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 11 Feb. 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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