domino effect

noun

plural domino effects
: a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events compare ripple effect

Examples of domino effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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And Trump could only ignore the negative domino effect on the whole economy for so long. Anna Cooban, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025 The result could be a domino effect of protectionism, with countries turning inward and raising tariffs in response to American trade barriers, experts said. Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 The first tree fell back there and hit the tree here, which hit another tree, and so there's a domino effect. David Chiu, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025 Such a domino effect—or cascade—happened in 2006, when a power line was shut off to accommodate a cruise ship transport. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for domino effect

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domino effect was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Domino effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20effect. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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