redound

American  

[ri-dound] / rɪˈdaʊnd /

verb (used without object)

1. to have a good or bad effect or result, as to the advantage or disadvantage of a person or thing.

2. to result or accrue, as to a person.

3. to come back or reflect upon a person as to honor or disgrace (usually followed by on orupon ).

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redound British  

/ rɪˈdaʊnd /

verb

1. to have an advantageous or disadvantageous effect (on)

   brave deeds redound to your credit

2. to recoil or rebound

3. archaic (intr) to arise; accrue

   wealth redounding from wise investment

4. archaic (tr) to reflect; bring

   his actions redound dishonour upon him

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Etymology

Origin of redound

1350–1400; Middle English redounden < Middle French redonder < Latin redundāre to overflow, equivalent to red- red- + undāre to surge (derivative of unda wave; cf. undulate); cf. redundant

Explanation

Use the verb redound in formal situations to mean "contribute" or "have an effect." You could tell your friend that his patience with unruly children will redound to his reputation as a good school bus driver. Redound shows up only in the most formal speech and writing, but it's a good way to describe an effect on someone's good name or prestige. Your travels around Asia will redound to your fame as an adventurous traveler, while your unwillingness to talk to your neighbors could redound to your unfriendly reputation. Originally, redound described something that overflows which is the meaning of the Latin root word, redundare.

Example Sentences

After this, Cembalest turned his attention to rebutting a widely believed yet, according to him, incorrect idea pertaining to how the spike in energy prices caused by the war might redound on the U.S. economy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Lower short-term rates would redound more to consumers and small-to-medium-size businesses, which depend mainly on bank borrowings.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

Hamilton ”advised the president to ‘embrace such reflections and sentiments as will wear well, progress in approbation with time and redound to future reputation.’

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025

"But there is a solution and a solution that can deliver for their constituents, many of whom are public sector workers, in a way that I think would redound to their credit."

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2024

From piety and devotion to this Ling shall innumerable benefits redound upon you.’

From Phallic Miscellanies Facts and Phases of Ancient and Modern Sex Worship, as Illustrated Chiefly in the Religions of India by Jennings, Hargrave