aftershock

American  

[af-ter-shok, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌʃɒk, ˈɑf- /

noun

• aftershocks
  plural

1. a small earthquake or tremor that follows a major earthquake.

2. the effect, result, or repercussion of an event; aftermath; consequence.

   The aftershock of the bankruptcy was felt throughout the financial community.

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aftershock British  

/ ˈɑːftəˌʃɒk /

noun

1. one of a series of minor tremors occurring after the main shock of an earthquake Compare foreshock

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aftershock Scientific  

/ ăf′tər-shŏk′ /

1. A less powerful earthquake that follows a more forceful one. Aftershocks usually originate at or near the focus of the main earthquakes they follow and can continue for days or months. They usually decrease in magnitude and frequency with time.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• aftershocks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of aftershock

First recorded in 1890–95; after + shock ¹

Compare meaning

How does aftershock compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• earthquake vs. aftershock

Explanation

An aftershock is a small earthquake that echoes or follows a larger one. After an earthquake, people often wait nervously to see if there will be an aftershock. After the relief of surviving an earthquake, the tremors and shaking of aftershocks can be surprising and often dangerous. Sometimes houses and buildings that were damaged during the main earthquake can collapse during the aftershock that follows. Aftershocks are caused by the ground settling and adjusting to the changes in the faults that may have resulted from the original quake.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aftershock aftershocks

In the darkness, partially kneeling, gasping for air and practically immobile, he suffered aftershock after aftershock.

From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026

Early on Monday, nerves were frayed by an aftershock, although no further damage was reported.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

It is not a mere aftershock from Callais, but a separate earthquake of the same or perhaps even greater magnitude.

From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026

Now, he’s doing whatever he can to keep his fragile life’s work intact, knowing it is one errant aftershock away from shattering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

It feels like two comets have just collided headfirst into each other, and the aftershock of two hundred earthquakes rolls through my chest.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Many local residents were seen rushing out of their homes into the streets, fearing strong aftershocks.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Meanwhile, he added, villages have been cut off from aid and displaced people whose homes were damaged or destroyed have been forced to seek higher ground, as hundreds of aftershocks continue to rattle the island.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Aid disruptions and aftershocks across the Indonesian island of Flores are fuelling fears among thousands of survivors who were displaced by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Saturday.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Tonsianus said he was "very worried" about aftershocks and about his mother and other patients having to sleep outside.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

What’s more, hundreds of aftershocks continued to rattle Fukushima, threatening to shake broken pieces loose from buildings at any time.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland