noun
repercussion
ree-puh-KUSH-un
Repercussion (noun) means a bad result of an action or event, usually one that arrives later and indirectly. Usually plural. Example: “Nobody thought through the repercussions of closing the only bank in town.”
noun
1
A bad result of an action or event, usually one that arrives later and indirectly. Usually plural.
"Nobody thought through the repercussions of closing the only bank in town."
"He leaked the memo and faced no repercussions at all."
2
formal or technical An echo or reverberation of sound; the act of striking back.
"The repercussion of the shot rolled around the valley."
How to use repercussion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bad knock-on effect that comes later.
When to use it
Neutral to formal. Almost always negative — you would not normally speak of happy repercussions.
Memory tip
Consequences can be good or bad; repercussions are essentially always bad, and usually delayed.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
serious repercussions
face the repercussions
far-reaching repercussions
political repercussions
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nobody thought through the _____ of closing the only bank in town.
Etymology
From Latin repercussio, from repercutere 'to strike back', from re- 'back' plus percutere 'to strike'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for repercussion
region
cation
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
See all rhymes for repercussion →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between repercussion and consequence?
A consequence is any result, good or bad, and often immediate. A repercussion is specifically an unwelcome knock-on effect that spreads outward or turns up later. Winning the lottery has consequences; the tax bill two years on is a repercussion.
What is the difference between repercussions and ramifications?
Ramifications are the branching complications of a decision and can be neutral — they are about complexity. Repercussions are about harm rebounding on someone. A merger has ramifications for the org chart and repercussions for the staff who lose their jobs.
What is the meaning of repercussion?
"repercussion" (noun) means a bad result of an action or event, usually one that arrives later and indirectly. Usually plural.
What is another word for repercussion?
Other words for "repercussion" include consequence, fallout, aftermath, ramification, backlash, rebound.
