Meaning & use

aftereffect

noun·Academic

A result or consequence that occurs some time after its original cause, often a lingering or secondary effect.

See it in a sentence

Dizziness is a common aftereffect of the medication for the first few hours.

Economists are still studying the aftereffects of the financial crisis a decade later.

A note on using this word

Aftereffect usually describes a delayed or lingering consequence, distinct from an immediate result, and is common in medical and scientific writing.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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