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Resound

v. joyful, energetic literary

What it means

Meaning 1

To fill a place or continue through it as a strong sound.

Reach for it when describing sound that carries clearly and powerfully

Children's laughter resounded through the reopened hall.

Meaning 2

To produce a strong, continuing impression or response.

Reach for it when describing words or achievements that carry beyond their immediate moment

Her demand for evidence resounded far beyond the first hearing.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
professional
formal
literary
  • Resound (this word)
  • ring
Register not recorded

Meaning 1: To fill a place or continue through it as a strong sound.

  • everyday

    echo

    Fits when a sound is repeated by surfaces

    Careful An echo is a returned sound, while resound can fill the space directly.

  • professional

    reverberate

    Fits when repeated reflection prolongs sound

    Careful Reverberate is technical and can imply unwanted acoustics.

  • literary

    ring

    Fits when a clear sustained tone is central

    Careful Ring fits certain sounds and not every powerful voice.

  • Register not recorded

    boom

    Fits when deep loud sound carries forcefully

    Careful Boom is too harsh for music or laughter.

Meaning 2: To produce a strong, continuing impression or response.

  • everyday

    carry

    Fits when a message reaches widely

    Careful Carry is neutral and lacks resound's force.

  • formal

    endure

    Fits when the influence lasts over time

    Careful Endurance does not imply wide response.

  • formal

    resonate

    Fits when an idea creates a deep personal response

    Careful Resonate centers connection with an audience, not sheer impact.

  • formal

    reverberate

    Fits when consequences continue through a system

    Careful This metaphor often suits negative consequences as well.

Opposites 4

  • fall silent
  • muffle
  • fade
  • go unnoticed

Common phrases 3

  • resound through the hall

    The final chord seemed to resound through the hall for several seconds.

  • resound with laughter

    By noon, the courtyard began to resound with laughter.

  • resound across generations

    The poet's plain warning continues to resound across generations.

Word family 1

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Mountainmage, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated