ramification

noun

Definition of ramificationnext
as in implication
formal something that is produced by or necessarily follows an action, decision, etc. They discussed the possible ramifications of the new treaty. The government's actions in this case could have major political ramifications.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ramification Also, recent funding cuts or freezes to agencies like USAID are already having ramifications on the ground, with public-health professionals concerned that progress in tackling diseases like tuberculosis will stall or regress. — Simon Williams, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025 Quote: Ramsay wants to incorporate more rotation into the squad this season — that’s why Lod started and Trapp came off the bench vs. Montreal — and Ramsay is looking ahead to the ramifications of the first international window from March 18-26. — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2025 Other experts say the Treasury’s decision could have ramifications for national security. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025 That government-wide directive caused confusion as to whether a response was required — and the possible ramifications of not answering. — Kristin Brown, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ramification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ramification
  1. implication
  2. outcome
  3. consequence
  4. effect
Noun
  • Right now, Keyte is thinking a lot about the implications of bird flu, which has taken out some recovering populations of birds.
    — Susan Young, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • This series is a key leading indicator of U.S. economic growth, and its January and February expansions bode well for U.S. Q1 2025 GDP despite the implications of recently soft consumer confidence and elevated tariff risks.
    — Jason Schenker, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of implication
Noun
  • The outcome in House District 40B could end Republicans' one-vote edge in the state House, returning the chamber to a rare 67-67 tie.
    — Torey Van Oot, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The president didn’t rule it out as a potential outcome.
    — William Gavin, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • In a way, Kelly is saying something even Democrats would agree with: elections have consequences.
    — Ben Adler, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Often those predictions are loaded with a twist in their tail, leading to unintended consequences.
    — Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of consequence
Noun
  • Clocks in most states leapt forward an hour this morning as Daylight Saving Time (DST) went into effect.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Financial market volatility soared last week as new tariffs for Canada, Mexico, and China went into effect, and investors reacted to a potential slowdown in the U.S. from growing economic uncertainty.
    — Garth Friesen, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of effect

Browse Nearby Words

ramification
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ramification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ramification. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on ramification

Nglish: Translation of ramification for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All