reverberate

[ verb ri-vur-buh-reyt; adjective ri-vur-ber-it ]

verb (used without object)

, re·ver·ber·at·ed, re·ver·ber·at·ing.

1. to reecho or resound:

   Her singing reverberated through the house.

   Synonyms: vibrate, rebound, ring, carry

2. Physics. to be reflected many times, as sound waves from the walls of a confined space.
3. to rebound or recoil.
4. to be deflected, as flame in a reverberatory furnace.

verb (used with object)

, re·ver·ber·at·ed, re·ver·ber·at·ing.

1. to echo back or reecho (sound).
2. to cast back or reflect (light, heat, etc.).
3. to subject to reflected heat, as in a reverberatory furnace.

adjective

1. reverberant.

reverberate

/ rɪˈvɜːbəˌreɪt /

verb

1. intr to resound or re-echo

   the explosion reverberated through the castle

2. to reflect or be reflected many times
3. intr to rebound or recoil
4. intr (of the flame or heat in a reverberatory furnace) to be deflected onto the metal or ore on the hearth
5. tr to heat, melt, or refine (a metal or ore) in a reverberatory furnace

Derived Forms

• reverberˈation, noun
• reˈverberant, adjective
• reˈverberantly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·ver·ber·a·tive [ri-, vur, -b, uh, -rey-tiv, -ber-, uh, -], adjective
• re·verber·ator noun
• unre·verber·ated adjective
• unre·verber·ating adjective
• unre·verber·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverberate¹

First recorded in 1540–50, reverberate is from the Latin word reverberātus (past participle of reverberāre to strike back). See reverberant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverberate¹

C16: from Latin reverberāre to strike back, from re- + verberāre to beat, from verber a lash

Example Sentences

He’s also efficient: I met with him for less than an hour, and the reading continues to reverberate weeks later.

From Los Angeles Times

Four years later, she again declined to pursue the death penalty after a dramatic killing, but this time, she better understood how her decision would reverberate.

From BBC

As Trump’s lies reverberate, our allies question not only U.S. policies but our nation’s fundamental reliability as a partner in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

This is why the prospect of a second Trump presidency is so terrifying: His unconsidered words reverberate.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump, in turn, has targeted Harris over expressions of support for gender-affirming care and vowed to stop “COVID mandates,” issues that reverberate on the political right.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• echo
• resound