aftereffect

noun

af·​ter·​ef·​fect ˈaf-tər-ə-ˌfekt 

: an effect that follows its cause after an interval

Synonyms

• aftermath
• backwash
• child
• conclusion
• consequence
• corollary
• development
• effect
• fate
• fruit
• issue
• outcome
• outgrowth
• precipitate
• product
• result
• resultant
• sequel
• sequence
• upshot

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

The violence of tourism—subtle and not so subtle—is the aftereffect of colonialism in an economy developed still to be extractive and to persist in forcing the local people into new forms of servitude. —Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 26 Sep. 2024

The state is still grappling with the storm’s aftereffects and searching for missing people, but the Facebook post vastly overstates the loss of life, according to North Carolina officials. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Trump did succeed in instituting harsh rules that all but shut down the adjudication of asylum cases, hobbling the immigration courts, with aftereffects that endure to this day. —Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024

In the chaotic aftereffects of an attack—or in some cases, during the attack—having a clear plan of action with owners and timelines helps ensure a swift and coordinated response, significantly improving outcomes. —Robert Harrison, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after- + effect entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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