Definition

1. Verb:
   • To have a significant effect or consequence, especially as a result of one's actions or qualities, often leading to a particular outcome, such as credit, benefit, or discredit. It typically describes how an action's ultimate impact accrues to or affects someone or something, often indirectly.
   • To contribute to or result in something, especially an enhancement of reputation, honor, or a particular state. It implies a flowing back or accrual of effects.
   • (Archaic/Literary) To recoil or rebound upon the originator. This meaning emphasizes a return of consequences, often negative, to the source.

Usage

The verb "redound" is formal and is almost always used with the preposition "to" (e.g., redound to) or, less commonly, "upon." It describes a process where the effects of actions, events, or qualities ultimately affect a person's reputation, advantage, or disadvantage. It is not used with a direct object.

Examples

• Verb:
  • His meticulous research will redound to the benefit of the entire scientific community. (His research will ultimately have a positive effect for the community.)
  • The company's commitment to ethical practices redounds to its credit in the marketplace. (The commitment contributes positively to its reputation.)
  • In the end, their dishonest schemes redounded upon themselves, causing their downfall. (The negative consequences of their schemes returned to affect them.)

Advanced Usage

• "redound to the advantage/benefit/honor/credit of": To ultimately result in a positive outcome or enhanced reputation for someone or something.
  • Her charitable work redounds greatly to her honor.
• "redound to the disadvantage/discredit of": To ultimately result in a negative outcome or loss of reputation.
  • The scandal redounded to the disadvantage of the entire administration.
• "redound upon": (More literary) For consequences, especially negative ones, to recoil or fall back on the originator.
  • The violence he instigated eventually redounded upon him.

Variants and Related Words

• Redounding (present participle / gerund): The act or process of having such an effect.
  • The redounding glory of the victory was celebrated by all.
• Redounded (simple past and past participle).
  • His early investments have redounded to his immense profit.

Synonyms

• Conduce to: To help bring about a particular result.
• Accrue to: To be added as a natural or expected benefit or disadvantage.
• Rebound on/upon: To have an unexpected negative consequence for the originator.
• Contribute to: To help cause or bring about an outcome.

Related Phrases

• Redound to one's glory: To result in great honor or praise for someone.
  • His sacrifice redounded to his eternal glory.
• Redound to the general good: To have a beneficial effect for the wider community or public.
  • Policies that redound to the general good are essential for a stable society.

Notes

"Redound" is a formal and somewhat literary verb. In modern usage, it is most frequently encountered in the construction "redound to [someone's/something's] advantage/discredit/honor/etc." The archaic sense of "recoil" is now rare but may appear in historical or literary contexts.

Verb

1. have an effect for good or ill
   • Her efforts will redound to the general good
2. contribute
   • Everything redounded to his glory
3. return or recoil
   • Fame redounds to the heroes