reverberate

1 of 2

verb

re·​ver·​ber·​ate ri-ˈvər-bə-ˌrāt 

reverberated; reverberating

transitive verb

1

: reflect

2

: repel

a mirror reverberating glaring light

3

: echo

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become driven back

b

: to become reflected

2

: to continue in or as if in a series of echoes : resound

The room reverberated with laughter.

a historic event that still reverberates today

reverberate

2 of 2

adjective

re·​ver·​ber·​ate ri-ˈvər-b(ə-)rət 

: reverberant

Did you know?

The letter sequence "v-e-r-b" in reverberate might make you think at first of such word-related brethren as proverb, verbal, and verbose, all of which derive from the Latin noun verbum, meaning "word." In fact, reverberate comes from a much different source: the Latin verb verberare, meaning "to whip, beat, or lash," which is related to the noun verber, meaning "rod." Reverberate entered the English language in the 15th century, and one of its early meanings was "to beat, drive, or cast back." By the early 1600s, it began to appear in contexts associated with sound that repeats or returns the way an echo does.

Synonyms of reverberate

Verb

• echo

Examples of reverberate in a Sentence

Verb

the sound of thunder reverberated from one end of the mountain pass to the other

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The expulsion of five diabetes experts from the American Diabetes Association meeting last month continues to reverberate, with more than 200 members now calling for two ADA leaders to resign. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 28 July 2026

But with news of LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday reverberating around the league, the cold reality of next season is hitting the Warriors and their fan base. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 25 July 2026

When the crash occurs, the object vaporizes and shock waves are sent reverberating through the Earth’s crust. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 July 2026

An inaudible heartbeat reverberates through the space at a frequency below human hearing, producing vibrations that can be felt by those standing nearby. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin reverberatus, past participle of reverberare, from re- + verberare to lash, from verber rod — more at vervain

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

reverberate

verb

re·​ver·​ber·​ate

ri-ˈvər-bə-ˌrāt

reverberated; reverberating

: to continue in or as if in a series of echoes

reverberation

-ˌvər-bə-ˈrā-shən

noun