aftershock

noun

af·​ter·​shock ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk How to pronounce aftershock (audio)
Synonyms of aftershocknext
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
The team is still dealing with the aftershock of losing their best player.
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
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.
The continuing tremors represented a sharp increase from the more than 47 aftershocks reported by Rivera during a Friday afternoon news conference. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 The earthquake was followed by 147 aftershocks, director of the Emergency Operations Center René García told CNN. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Thus, the crisis of liberal democracy after 9/11 might be better understood not simply as a blowback from the war on terror, but as an aftershock of socialism’s collapse. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 Variety’s first print edition following the attacks ran 20 pages, mostly stocked with coverage of the day’s events and their aftershocks. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for aftershock

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Browse Nearby Words

aftershave
aftershock
aftershow
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Cite this Entry

“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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