sleeper effect

noun

A phenomenon where the impact of a persuasive message increases over time, even though the initial impact may have been minimal or negligible, often accompanied by a discounting cue.

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Meanings

nounsleeper effect (plural sleeper effects)

plural sleeper effects

  1. human sciencesA phenomenon where the impact of a persuasive message increases over time, even though the initial impact may have been minimal or negligible, often accompanied by a discounting cue.
Cite this entry
APA

sleeper effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sleeper%20effect

MLA

“sleeper effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sleeper%20effect. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sleeper effect,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sleeper%20effect.

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