reiterate

verb

re·​it·​er·​ate rē-ˈi-tə-ˌrāt 

reiterated; reiterating

transitive verb

: to state or do over again or repeatedly sometimes with wearying effect

reiteration

(ˌ)rē-ˌi-tə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

reiterative

rē-ˈi-tə-ˌrā-tiv 

-t(ə-)rə-tiv

adjective

reiteratively adverb

Did you know?

Can you guess the meaning of iterate, a less common relative of reiterate? It must mean simply "to state or do," right? Nope. Actually, iterate also means "to state or do again." It's no surprise, then, that some usage commentators have insisted that reiterate must always mean "to say or do again AND AGAIN." No such nice distinction exists in actual usage, however. Both reiterate and iterate can convey the idea of a single repetition or of many repetitions. Reiterate is the older of the two words—it first appeared in the 15th century, whereas iterate turned up in the 16th century. Both stem from the Latin verb iterare, which is itself from iterum ("again"), but reiterate took an extra step, through Latin reiterare ("to repeat").

Synonyms of reiterate

• repeat
• replicate
• renew

Examples of reiterate in a Sentence

He iterates and reiterates that his lab likewise provided the French with many biological tools and samples, as well as significant technical guidance … —Natalie Angier, New York Times Book Review, 24 Mar. 1991

Easy victories bring little satisfaction; repeated failures encourage reiterated effort, to the moment of ultimate gratification or ultimate resignation. —Peter Gay, Style in History, 1974

Judge Douglas has again, for, I believe, the fifth time, if not the seventh, in my presence, reiterated his charge of a conspiracy or combination between the National Democrats and Republicans. —Abraham Lincoln, debate versus Stephen A. Douglas, 7 Oct. 1858

"And are you glad to see me?" asked she, reiterating her former question, and pleased to detect the faint dawn of a smile. —Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847

She avoided answering our questions directly, instead reiterating that the answers could be found in her book.

Allow me to reiterate: if I am elected, I will not raise taxes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Holmoe, too, reiterates that there is necessary skepticism and caution. — Mirin Fader, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Wells Fargo reiterates Tesla as underweight The bank says its Tesla survey checks show deliveries trending up month over month. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Hochman recently reiterated that his office has not decided whether to pursue capital punishment or seek the alternative maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Paramount, however, has reiterated the ongoing importance of the franchise to its bottom line. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin reiteratus, past participle of reiterare to repeat, from re- + iterare to iterate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reiterate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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Kids Definition

reiterate

verb

re·​it·​er·​ate rē-ˈit-ə-ˌrāt 

reiterated; reiterating

: to say or do over again or repeatedly

reiteration

(ˌ)rē-ˌit-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

reiterative

rē-ˈit-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

-rət-

adjective

reiteratively adverb

reiterativeness noun