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Synonyms

afterimage

American  
[af-ter-im-ij, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌɪm ɪdʒ, ˈɑf- /

noun

Psychology.
  1. a visual image or other sense impression that persists after the stimulus that caused it is no longer operative.


afterimage British  
/ ˈɑːftərˌɪmɪdʒ /

noun

  1. Also called: aftersensation.   photogene.  a sustained or renewed sensation, esp visual, after the original stimulus has ceased

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of afterimage

1875–80; translation of German Nachbild; see after, image

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’ll feel loss, but the afterimage of this singular woman’s belief in finding light is what will burn.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

Bodies — theirs and others — fill in the space, but their afterimage reverberates.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2024

At this point, close your eyes for a moment, then reopen them, looking again at the white paper or wall; the afterimage of the flag should continue to appear as red, white, and blue.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Where there had once been toothless rebellion, now there was eager compliance—even if the show had trained me to see insincerity floating in the air, like the afterimage from decade-old flash.

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2020

I looked up in time to see her disappear around the landing above us, that endless mane of hair trailing behind her like a blurred afterimage.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

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