reverberate

/rɪˈvɜːbəreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈvər-bə-ˌrāt/ (ame, mw)

reverberate — verb

  • reverberatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • reverberateshe / she / it
  • reverberatedpast simple
  • reverberating-ing form

1. When a loud or deep sound moves through an area and keeps being heard because th

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When a loud or deep sound moves through an area and keeps being heard because the surfaces around it reflect the sound waves.

例句

The church bells reverberated across the quiet valley at noon.

reverberate + across [space]

Yasmin's final note reverberated through the hall long after she stopped singing.

reverberate + through [space]

同義詞
  • echo

    more general; can describe any reflected sound, not only loud or deep ones

  • resound

    more formal; emphasises that the sound fills a space

  • boom

    suggests a deep, hollow, loud sound specifically

反義詞
  • fade

    a sound grows quieter rather than continuing

  • die away

    a sound gradually becomes inaudible, the opposite of persisting

文法句型

reverberate + through/across/throughout/off + [place]

用法筆記

Subject is nearly always a sound, especially one that is loud, low, or deep. The spatial preposition is required — without it the sentence feels incomplete.

常見錯誤

The thunder reverberated.
The thunder reverberated across the sky.
💡Reverberate needs a spatial context to show where the sound is echoing.
His voice reverberated the cave.
His voice reverberated through the cave.
💡Reverberate is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object.

2. When an event, decision, or piece of news spreads widely through a group or soci

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

When an event, decision, or piece of news spreads widely through a group or society, causing a strong and often lasting effect on people.

例句

The news of the factory closing reverberated through the small town.

reverberate + through [community] for figurative effect

Otis knew his resignation would reverberate across the entire department for weeks.

同義詞
  • resonate

    more common in figurative contexts; suggests emotional or intellectual impact rather than broad social effect

  • ripple through

    less formal; suggests a gradual spreading effect

  • echo

    can describe events having continuing effects but is less intense than reverberate

反義詞
  • fizzle out

    an event loses its impact quickly without spreading widely

文法句型

reverberate + through/across + [community/system]

reverberate + for + [duration]

用法筆記

Figurative extension of the sound sense. Subject is commonly an event, decision, announcement, or scandal that affects a community, organisation, or system. Frequently used with still, continue to, or for + period to emphasise that the effect lasts.

常見錯誤

The decision reverberated the community.
The decision reverberated through the community.
💡Even in the figurative sense, reverberate is intransitive and needs a preposition.
Her speech reverberated everyone in the room.
The effects of her speech reverberated through the room.
💡People do not 'get reverberated'; effects spread.

reverberate — adjective