aftermath

/ˌæftərˈmæθ/

/ˈɑftəmæθ/

Other forms: aftermaths

The aftermath of a car crash might include a broken fender, a sprained rib, and a lecture from a police officer. The consequences of an unpleasant event make up its aftermath.

The math in aftermath does not refer to adding or subtracting numbers, rather it is related to a Germanic word for mowing, or harvest. If you have been mowed down by a class of excited first graders, the aftermath might be a bruised knee, a headache from all of the squealing, and red face from embarrassment.

Definitions of aftermath

1. noun

   the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
   “the aftermath of war”

   synonyms: backwash, wake

   type of:

   consequence, effect, event, issue, outcome, result, upshot

   a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
2. noun

   the outcome of an event especially as relative to an individual
   synonyms: consequence

   types:

   corollary

   a practical consequence that follows naturally

   comeupance, comeuppance, deserts

   an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved

   fruit

   the consequence of some effort or action

   sequella

   a secondary consequence

   train

   a series of consequences wrought by an event

   payoff, reward, wages

   a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

   type of:

   final result, outcome, result, resultant, termination

   something that results