What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reradiated
Example
The heat reradiated from the pavement made the air feel even hotter. [reradiated: verb]
Example
The satellite dish reradiated the signal it received from space. [reradiated: past tense]
reemitted
Example
The phosphorescent paint reemitted the light it had absorbed earlier. [reemitted: verb]
Example
The greenhouse gases trap heat that would otherwise be reemitted into space. [reemitted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reemitted is more commonly used than reradiated in scientific contexts. Reemitted is a more versatile term that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while reradiated is more specific to the reflection of electromagnetic waves.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reradiated and reemitted?
Both reradiated and reemitted are formal terms used primarily in scientific contexts.