side effect
noun
: a secondary and usually adverse effect (as of a drug)
toxic side effects
called also side reaction
Examples of side effect in a Sentence
Nausea and diarrhea are the side effects of the drug.
the harmful side effects of using chemicals to kill insects
The merger created positive side effects for both companies.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the case of serious side effects, particularly the immune system attacking healthy cells, the checkpoint inhibitor is stopped and the patient is given corticosteroids, says Dr. Toni Choueiri, director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Cancer at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
—
Linda Carroll, TIME, 5 Sep. 2024
However, mixing alcohol and antibiotics could still cause side effects and risks.17
Check with a healthcare provider or pharmacist about alcohol use while taking antibiotics.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2024
Only about 25% of people who get those vaccines tend to get more pronounced side effects like sore arm and a low-grade fever, Hudson said.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice Red yeast rice supplements may cause several side effects, including:2
Muscle aches
Diarrhea
Nausea
Stomach upset
Though rare, red yeast rice supplements have been linked to more serious side effects, such as allergic reactions and muscle, liver, and kidney damage.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for side effect 
Linda Carroll, TIME, 5 Sep. 2024
However, mixing alcohol and antibiotics could still cause side effects and risks.17
Check with a healthcare provider or pharmacist about alcohol use while taking antibiotics.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2024
Only about 25% of people who get those vaccines tend to get more pronounced side effects like sore arm and a low-grade fever, Hudson said.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Side Effects of Red Yeast Rice Red yeast rice supplements may cause several side effects, including:2
Muscle aches
Diarrhea
Nausea
Stomach upset
Though rare, red yeast rice supplements have been linked to more serious side effects, such as allergic reactions and muscle, liver, and kidney damage.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for side effect
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'side effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Side effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side%20effect. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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