ripple effect
noun
: a spreading, pervasive, and usually unintentional effect or influence
the automotive industry has a ripple effect on many other industries
compare domino effect
Examples of ripple effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There is reason to believe that the road show momentum will have ripple effects across American moviemaking.
—
Cory Stillman, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
The ripple effects will be severe, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers that lack the flexibility and capital to rapidly find alternative suppliers or absorb skyrocketing energy costs.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
There is a ripple effect into the private sector partly because so many private sector companies serve the federal government in some capacity and these policies impact suppliers.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
The phenomenon—where one customer pays for the next, inspiring a ripple effect—has been observed at various fast-food chains across North America.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ripple effect 
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Cory Stillman, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
The ripple effects will be severe, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers that lack the flexibility and capital to rapidly find alternative suppliers or absorb skyrocketing energy costs.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
There is a ripple effect into the private sector partly because so many private sector companies serve the federal government in some capacity and these policies impact suppliers.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
The phenomenon—where one customer pays for the next, inspiring a ripple effect—has been observed at various fast-food chains across North America.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ripple effect
Dictionary Entries Near ripple effect
Cite this Entry
“Ripple effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple%20effect. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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