ripple effect
/ˈrɪpəl ɪˈfɛkt/ · rip·ple ef·fect
noun
- A situation in which an initial event triggers a series of secondary events that spread outward, much like ripples on the surface of water. The sudden closure of the steel mill created a ripple effect, causing job losses at nearby suppliers and a decline in local housing prices.
Synonyms
domino effectchain reactionknock‑on effectcascading effectsnowball effectspilloverrepercussionspreading impact
Antonyms
Did you know? The phrase "ripple effect" was popularized in economics during the 1970s to describe how a single market shock could propagate through global financial systems, much like a stone tossed into a pond.