repercussion

noun

re·​per·​cus·​sion ˌrē-pər-ˈkə-shən How to pronounce repercussion (audio)
ˌre-
1
2
a
: an action or effect given or exerted in return : a reciprocal action or effect
b
: a widespread, indirect, or unforeseen effect of an act, action, or event
usually used in plural
repercussive adjective

Examples of repercussion in a Sentence

your decision not to go to college will have repercussions you'll feel for years to come
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.
And as the conflict stretched into its second and third years, its international repercussions have expanded in scope. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 Yet the outcome stands to dictate whether Louisiana’s map can survive in future years and carry broader repercussions for how remedial designs can be drawn once a court strikes down a map under the Voting Rights Act. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024 But the school cases may carry bigger potential monetary damages because each district seeks to recoup institutional costs from the negative repercussions of having hundreds of individual students hooked on social media. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Psychologists know that childhood trauma, or the experience of harmful or adverse events, can have lasting repercussions on the health and well-being of people well into adulthood. Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repercussion 

Word History

Etymology

Latin repercussion-, repercussio, from repercutere to drive back, from re- + percutere to beat — more at percussion

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of repercussion was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near repercussion

Cite this Entry

“Repercussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repercussion. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

repercussion

noun
re·​per·​cus·​sion ˌrē-pər-ˈkəsh-ən How to pronounce repercussion (audio)
ˌrep-ər-
1
: a return action or effect
2
: a widespread, indirect, or unexpected effect of something said or done
the new policy had repercussions for everyone

More from Merriam-Webster on repercussion

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