reverberate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reverberate' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a sound that echoes, or to suggest that an effect resonates or spreads through a place or situation. For example, "The claps of thunder reverberated through the valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While survivors are ferried to the relative safety of islands such as Lampedusa and Sicily, and victims disappear for ever, the impact of these tragedies will reverberate as far as Brussels, where the EU stands accused of dereliction of duty.

The Guardian

Now that consensus has been turned on its head, and the national consequences of that shift are likely to reverberate way beyond the immediate battle to replace Cantor as House majority leader.

The Guardian

Take actions that reverberate on many levels: Don't just install a solar panel; organise your entire block to install them, make a video for social media about the experience, crowdfund some additional money to support others to do the same, and then send a photo of you and your solar panel to David Cameron and tell him to get on with it already!

The Guardian

Later this quiet-mannered former history teacher who quoted Kipling in his programme notes ("It ain't the individual nor the Army as a whole, it's the everlasting teamwork of every bloomin' soul") tested the media's spelling ability with the comment, "The enormity of this result will reverberate throughout the whole of soccer".

The Guardian - Sport

If these voters' first exposure to politics is one in which they are viewed as an outside, threatening force then it risks alienating them in a way that will reverberate for years to come".

The Guardian

A surge of Eurosceptics in next May's elections for the European Parliament would reverberate back into national politics.Another view is that, in the face of the worst economic situation since the end of the second world war, the system has proven remarkably resilient.

The Economist

"OIL and natural gas availability has been severely impaired and the effects of this will reverberate through the economy of this country for some time".

The Economist

They continue to reverberate as Bank of Cyprus, the country's biggest bank, remains in a dire state, which in turn casts a shadow over Cyprus managing to find a way out of a wrenching recession.Cyprus's continuing plight may have contributed to Mr Demetriades's early departure, but it is nonetheless a brutal reminder of the realities of power.

The Economist

A table, fork and small and large spoon were fashioned for him, while a junk, dispatched in a hurry, returned with three Californian apples and three sheets of foreign notepaper to complete his contentment.As for whaling around Japan, vestigial echoes reverberate.

The Economist

There followed a decade of coalitions, all of which included the Christian Democrats, but some of which were led by a Republican, Giovanni Spadolini, and others by a Socialist, Bettino Craxi.This stable system was blown apart by three events that reverberate still.

The Economist

The coming quake may reverberate politically, too, particularly affecting the public paternalism that prevails in Tokyo's approach to disaster management as in so much else.A disaster would expose the government's known shortcomings: its tendency to stress duty over flexibility; the squabbling and rivalry of its different departments; its lack of preparation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reverberate" to describe not only sounds that echo, but also the far-reaching and lasting effects of events or decisions. For example, "The economic crisis continues to "reverberate" throughout the global market".

Common error

Avoid using "reverberate" when "resonate" is more appropriate. "Reverberate" typically refers to sound or widespread effects, while "resonate" often indicates emotional or intellectual agreement or connection.

Linguistic Context

The verb "reverberate" primarily functions to describe the act of echoing or resounding, often in a physical space. It extends metaphorically to indicate that something has a widespread and lasting effect or impact. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "reverberate" is a versatile verb used to describe echoing sounds and, more broadly, lasting impacts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It appears most often in news and media, but also in scientific and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "echo" and "resound" exist, "reverberate" effectively conveys the notion of something having wide-ranging and enduring consequences. It is important to note the distinction between "reverberate" and "resonate", as "resonate" typically implies an emotional or intellectual connection, as a substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resound

Implies a deeper, more resonant echo compared to "reverberate".

echo

A more direct and literal synonym for "reverberate", often referring to sound.

ring out

Suggests a clear and distinct echoing sound, differing slightly from the broader implications of "reverberate".

resonate

Focuses on the emotional or intellectual impact, rather than a literal echo.

have repercussions

Shifts the focus to the consequences or effects of an action, a related but distinct concept.

have lasting effect

Emphasizes the prolonged influence or impact, moving away from the sound metaphor.

send ripples through

Implies a spreading effect, like waves, diverging from the echoing nature of "reverberate".

bounce back

Focuses on reflection or return, which is a more specific aspect of "reverberate".

strike a chord

Emphasizes the emotional resonance or agreement something evokes, deviating from the sound metaphor.

spread

A more general term indicating the distribution of something, less specific than the echoing or resonating nature of "reverberate".

FAQs

How can I use "reverberate" in a sentence?

You can use "reverberate" to describe sounds echoing in a space or the lasting impact of an event. For example, "The explosion "reverberated" through the city", or "The consequences of the decision will "reverberate" for years to come".

What does it mean when an event "reverberates"?

When an event "reverberates", it means its effects are widely felt and continue to be significant over time. It suggests the event's impact isn't isolated but spreads throughout a system or community.

Are "reverberate" and "echo" interchangeable?

While both words involve sounds repeating, "echo" is more literal, referring specifically to the reflection of sound waves. "Reverberate" can describe both literal echoes and the broader, lasting effects of something. Therefore, using "echo" in the first context is perfect. But if you're talking about the far-reaching consequences, "reverberate" is typically more appropriate.

What are some synonyms for "reverberate" in the context of impact?

In the context of impact, alternatives to "reverberate" include "resonate", "have repercussions", or "have a lasting effect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.