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

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."

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 notes

In 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

consequence → ramification percussion →

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'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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consequence fallout aftermath ramification backlash echo reverberation resonance

Related Words

cause issue event sound effect ring importance repeat

Rhymes for repercussion

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

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.

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