side effect
noun
: a secondary and usually adverse effect (as of a drug)
toxic side effects
called also side reaction
Examples of side effect in a Sentence
Nausea and diarrhea are the side effects of the drug.
the harmful side effects of using chemicals to kill insects
The merger created positive side effects for both companies.
Recent Examples on the Web
It is believed to be a side effect of the poisoning.
—
Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, mouth ulcers, fatigue, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024
Drug side effects: Some drugs may cause neuropathic pain in the feet and related symptoms.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
It’s always been my interest and my fascination and all of my writing, my music, my art, everything has been a side effect of that journey.
—Charles Moss, SPIN, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for side effect 
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.
Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, mouth ulcers, fatigue, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024
Drug side effects: Some drugs may cause neuropathic pain in the feet and related symptoms.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
It’s always been my interest and my fascination and all of my writing, my music, my art, everything has been a side effect of that journey.
—Charles Moss, SPIN, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for side effect
Dictionary Entries Near side effect
Cite this Entry
“Side effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side%20effect. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share