reverberate

[ri-vur-buh-reyt, ri-vur-ber-it]

verb (used without object)

reverberated, reverberating 

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)

reverberated, reverberating 

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

Other Word Forms

• reverberative adjective
• reverberator noun
• unreverberated adjective
• unreverberating adjective
• unreverberative adjective
• reverberation noun
• reverberant adjective
• reverberantly adverb

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

There are few good options for the president as the effects of his June 2024 gamble continue to reverberate.

From BBC

“Several times as many more have been killed as a reverberating effect of the wars — because, for example, of water loss, sewage and other infrastructural issues, and war-related disease.”

From Salon

Kennedy’s position on vaccines have reverberated beyond Capitol Hill.

From Los Angeles Times

Every joint strike on the tarmac reverberated through the stands.

From BBC

It changed all of our lives and mine so profoundly that it’s still reverberating.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• echo 
• resound