rippled; rippling
ˈri-p(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves
b
: to flow in small waves
c
: to fall in soft undulating folds
the scarf rippled to the floor
2
: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
laughter rippled over the audience
3
: to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples
the canoe rippled through the water
4
: to have or produce a ripple effect : spread
the news rippled outwards
1
: to stir up small waves on
2
: to impart a wavy motion or appearance to
rippling his arm muscles
3
: to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound
1
a
: a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream
b(1)
: the ruffling of the surface of water
(2)
: a small wave
2
a
b
: a sound like that of rippling water
a ripple of laughter
c
: a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction
Synonyms
Examples of ripple in a Sentence
Verb
Water rippled under the dock.
We could see the lion's muscles ripple.
A cool breeze rippled the water.
Noun
The pebble made ripples in the pond when I threw it in.
Recent Examples on the Web
Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Fast-food brands like McDonald’s have leaned into value menus to lure customers back, and full-service chains like Red Lobster are embarking on ambitious makeovers to fend off bankruptcies that have rippled through the sector.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Feynman diagrams capture only the minimal ripples of a quantum field and nothing more.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripple 
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Verb
The severe deterioration of the real estate market and a slump in Chinese stocks have given gold a new luster, and the enormous appetite for gold that China’s central bank has shown has rippled out to Chinese citizens too.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Fast-food brands like McDonald’s have leaned into value menus to lure customers back, and full-service chains like Red Lobster are embarking on ambitious makeovers to fend off bankruptcies that have rippled through the sector.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
Recent changes to the taxation of non-domiciled residents have sent ripples through the family office community.
—Francois Botha, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Feynman diagrams capture only the minimal ripples of a quantum field and nothing more.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripple
Dictionary Entries Near ripple
Cite this Entry
“Ripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripple. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ripple
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the disturbing of the surface of water
b
: a small wave or a mark like a small wave
2
: a sound like that of rippling water
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