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
Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2024
The shockwaves from that decision could ripple through the contentious House race.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024
Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Occasionally, one of the gravitons in these ripples would strike an atom in a detector and kick an electron into a higher energy level.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripple 
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Verb
The benefits of greening Denver’s schoolyards have rippled outward
Landscape architect Lois Brink began thinking more about the impact of playgrounds after seeing the bleak yard at her children’s school.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2024
The shockwaves from that decision could ripple through the contentious House race.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
The collapse of Genesis, Celsius, and BlockFi in 2022 sent painful ripples across the crypto industry.
—Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Occasionally, one of the gravitons in these ripples would strike an atom in a detector and kick an electron into a higher energy level.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 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 25 Nov. 2024.
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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