aftereffect

[ af-ter-i-fekt, ahf- ]

noun

1. a delayed effect; an effect that follows at some interval after the stimulus that produces it.
2. Medicine/Medical. a result appearing after the first effect due to an agent, usually a drug, has gone.

aftereffect

/ ˈɑːftərɪˌfɛkt /

noun

1. any result occurring some time after its cause
2. See side effect
   med any delayed response to a stimulus or agent Compare side effect
3. psychol any illusory sensation caused by a stimulus that has ceased

Word History and Origins

Origin of aftereffect¹

First recorded in 1810–20; after + effect

Example Sentences

I want to apologize to every person I’ve encouraged to be patient with the Internal Revenue Service as it stumbles through the aftereffects of the pandemic.

From Washington Post

Post-concussion syndrome meant I was operating at a compromised level due to the aftereffects of undiagnosed and unhealed brain injuries—including the one from the rockfall accident.

From Outside Online

Residents continue to deal with the aftereffects of Winter Storm Uri, while also battling gentrification that is “erasing our culture and erasing our history,” explains Debose, executive director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council.

From Ozy

The continued aftereffects of Chile’s decision to finally legalize divorce in late 2004, when it was one of just three countries in the world that still banned the practice.

From Ozy

This is nothing if not a blockbuster deal, with plenty of aftereffects that are sure to reverberate across the league.

From FiveThirtyEight