rippled; rippling
ˈri-p(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves
b
: to flow in small waves
c
: to fall in soft undulating folds
the scarf rippled to the floor
2
: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
laughter rippled over the audience
3
: to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples
the canoe rippled through the water
4
: to have or produce a ripple effect : spread
the news rippled outwards
1
: to stir up small waves on
2
: to impart a wavy motion or appearance to
rippling his arm muscles
3
: to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound
1
a
: a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream
b(1)
: the ruffling of the surface of water
(2)
: a small wave
2
a
b
: a sound like that of rippling water
a ripple of laughter
c
: a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction
Synonyms
Examples of ripple in a Sentence
Verb
Water rippled under the dock.
We could see the lion's muscles ripple.
A cool breeze rippled the water.
Noun
The pebble made ripples in the pond when I threw it in.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The emotional toll has rippled across the industry.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Fox News Staff, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025
This revelation sends ripples through their lives, challenging the balance between honesty and kindness that exists between married couples.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripple 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Like how sea stars impact entire food chains, leadership behaviors ripple through entire organizations, influencing morale, engagement, and productivity.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The emotional toll has rippled across the industry.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
The Trump administration’s recent announcement of a sweeping deregulatory agenda for generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has created ripples across industries.
—Fox News Staff, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025
This revelation sends ripples through their lives, challenging the balance between honesty and kindness that exists between married couples.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripple
Dictionary Entries Near ripple
Cite this Entry
“Ripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ripple
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the disturbing of the surface of water
b
: a small wave or a mark like a small wave
2
: a sound like that of rippling water
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