domino effect

noun

plural domino effects
: a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events compare ripple effect

Examples of domino effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The Fed’s benchmark sets what banks charge each other for overnight lending, but also has a domino effect on almost all of the borrowing and savings rates Americans see every day. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 May 2025 In rehearsals, if someone came up with an idea for a tiny change, the group would have to talk through what the domino effect would be on the show’s next 10 or 20 minutes. George Etheredge, New York Times, 12 May 2025 The special election for District 40 in western Orange County, a heavily Democratic seat which includes parts of Orlando and Ocoee, is the latest domino effect following the death of state Sen. Geraldine Thompson in February. Steven Lemongello, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2025 Motivated by the domino effect of leaving one clean space to tidy another soon had me on a roll and convinced me this is one cleaning method that’s worth (intentionally) adding to my routine. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for domino effect

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domino effect was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Domino effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20effect. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

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