rebound

A ball’s return after hitting a surface, or a chance to play it after it bounces back.

• He caught the rebound.
• She scored on the rebound after her first shot hit the post.
• The ball’s rebound took everyone by surprise.

Similar words: bounce

Common phrases: on the rebound, catch a rebound, score a rebound

A return to a better level or condition after a fall or difficult period.

• Sales showed a strong rebound.
• The economy’s rebound surprised many experts.
• We expect a rebound in prices next year.

How to use it: a rebound in something (There was a rebound in demand for cars.); a rebound from something (The market’s rebound from last week’s fall was rapid.)

Similar words: recovery, revival

Opposites: decline

Common phrases: rebound in sales, strong rebound, economic rebound

To return to a better level or condition after a fall or difficulty.

• Prices rebounded last month.
• The team rebounded from a poor start.
• Will the economy rebound after this difficult winter?

How to use it: rebound from something (The team rebounded from its defeat.); rebound to a level (Sales rebounded to their previous level.)

Similar words: recover, bounce back

Opposites: decline

Common phrases: rebound from something, sales rebound, prices rebound

To bounce back after hitting something.

• The ball rebounded off the wall.
• Her shot hit the post and rebounded towards her.
• Small stones rebounded from the car’s windscreen.

How to use it: rebound off something (The ball rebounded off the wall.); rebound from something (The stone rebounded from the metal door.)

Similar words: bounce back

Common phrases: rebound off something, rebound from something