What does redoubled mean?
Redoubled means doubled again or, more commonly in modern usage, intensified or renewed. A person who redoubles their efforts applies greater energy or resolve to a task, while “redoubled caution” describes watchfulness that has increased. The word is the past tense and past participle of redouble and is also used adjectivally before nouns such as “efforts,” “attention,” and “vigilance.” Its register is formal and emphatic, often suggesting persistence after difficulty or disappointment. The prefix re-, meaning “again,” combines with double to convey repetition or renewed force. This makes redoubled especially effective in reporting, public statements, and literary descriptions, where it signals determination, heightened awareness, or a determined attempt to improve a previous effort. Because it is less common than doubled, intensified, and renewed, it can add a slightly elevated or rhetorical tone while conveying a precise sense of making a stronger effort or taking further action.
To double again, or to renew or increase the intensity of an effort, measure, or feeling.
"The committee redoubled its efforts to reach an agreement."
Common in formal writing and speech. It often implies renewed determination following difficulty or an earlier attempt.
Having been doubled again; intensified, renewed, or increased in force.
"Despite repeated warnings, the driver showed redoubled caution."
This participial use is especially common before nouns such as efforts, attention, caution, and vigilance.
With re- meaning “again,” redoubled literally means “doubled again” and figuratively means “tried with greater force.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of redoubled
Redoubled is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and double, “to make twice as great or numerous.” Double comes through Old French from Latin duplus, meaning “double” or “twofold.” The formation thus preserves both the literal idea of doubling again and the figurative sense of renewing or intensifying an effort.
Related word forms
How redoubled is actually used
Redoubled is formal and emphatic. It is often stronger and more expressive than intensified or renewed, particularly when describing effort, attention, caution, or determination.