aftershock

noun

af·​ter·​shock ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk How to pronounce aftershock (audio)
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
2
: a minor shock following the main shock of an earthquake

Examples of aftershock in a Sentence

The first aftershock came just minutes after the earthquake.
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.
Payne was still feeling the aftershocks of life under the 1D microscope as well. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Countries are still grappling with the aftershocks of the pandemic, including significant debt burdens and dramatic learning loss. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 Best Phil sight gag: suffering from the aftershocks of getting tased by Manny, crumpling an expensive baseball card from mint condition… to near mint condition… to fair condition… to garbage. Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024 Fixed aftershock ability inappropriately triggering on blocks. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aftershock 

Word History

Etymology

after- + shock entry 1

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aftershock was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near aftershock

Cite this Entry

“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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