double effect

About 0.24 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. 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).

Similar words

side effect double-edged sword by-effect countereffect intereffect subeffect two-edged sword dysergy double life double meaning