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.

Zealand Pharma shares fell sharply after partner Boehringer Ingelheim said nearly one-fifth of patients in a late-stage study for an experimental obesity shot pulled out due to gastrointestinal side effects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Pfizer is hopeful that the experimental drug can lessen the side effects like nausea and diarrhea that occur with GLP-1s.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Researchers say this approach improved blood sugar regulation and body composition in animal studies while avoiding several side effects often linked to GLP-1 therapies, including appetite suppression, muscle loss, and digestive issues.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

One of the hardest parts of cancer is how little control you have over any of it - the diagnosis, treatment, or the side effects.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

"I need you to be careful with the flower of immortality when you find it. If you get contaminated by it—if its pollen or sap enters your system—there could be adverse side effects."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda