double effect

noun

The situation where an otherwise legitimate act (for example, relieving a terminally ill patient's pain) may also cause an effect one would otherwise be obliged to avoid (e.g. sedation and a slightly shortened life).

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Meanings

noundouble effect (uncountable)
  1. uncountablehuman sciencesThe situation where an otherwise legitimate act (for example, relieving a terminally ill patient's pain) may also cause an effect one would otherwise be obliged to avoid (e.g. sedation and a slightly shortened life).
Cite this entry
APA

double effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/double%20effect

MLA

“double effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/double%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “double effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/double%20effect.

Source: double effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.