side effects

NOUN

adverse or unwanted secondary effect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aftereffect reaction

WEAK

aftermath aftertaste byproduct carryover concomitant corollary leftover offshoot secondary response side issue sidebar spinoff

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If a GLP-1 is covered by insurance, but healthy food and a dietitian aren’t, patients will continue to choose drugs even if the effects are likely to be temporary and despite side effects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

These side effects can lead patients to stop treatment.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

In one of his greatest insights, Greenspan came early to realize that the worker productivity boom fueled by the rise of the internet had profound inflation-damping side effects.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

In addition to their limited effectiveness, opioids were linked to a higher risk of side effects in several situations, including acute musculoskeletal pain, traumatic limb injuries, and some forms of post surgical pain.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Whenever you read a cancer booklet or website or whatever, they always list depression among the side effects of cancer.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green