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
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The area has since recorded more than 600 aftershocks, some exceeding a magnitude of 4.0, Chinese state media said. Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 Many others were trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the remote region. Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Revelers often dare to drink a second, known as the replica or aftershock, risking the potential results. AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024 Authorities reported the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks at 12:53 p.m. local time, according to an embassy alert. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 17 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2025.

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