downstream effects
Later chain reactions
Downstream effects are consequences that occur later in a sequence or further along a chain of causation.
The metaphor comes from rivers—what happens upstream flows down to affect everything below.
In business, medicine, and policy, the term highlights how an action ripples outward: We didn't anticipate the downstream effects of the merger on employee morale.
Often implies unintended or overlooked consequences.
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- aftermathResults following an event
chain reaction · chain of events · repercussions · spillover · impact · reverberations · knock-on · down the line · unintended · collateral · secondary · trickle-down · ramifications · outcome · blowback · wake · residue · echo
- Indirect Effectssecondhand smoke, passive smoking, collateral damage, spillover, chain reaction
- pharmacologypharmacology, drugs, pharmacokinetics, dose, drug
downstream effectssource
Point of origin
origin · starting point · point of origin · genesis · wellspring
downstream, effects, stream, effect, streams, streamed, streaming, effected, effecting