resonate

American  

[rez-uh-neyt] / ˈrɛz əˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

resonated, resonating

1. to resound.

2. to act as a resonator; exhibit resonance.

3. Electronics. to reinforce oscillations because the natural frequency of the device is the same as the frequency of the source.

4. to amplify vocal sound by the sympathetic vibration of air in certain cavities and bony structures.

5. to produce a positive feeling, emotional response, or opinion.

   an issue that clearly resonates with members of our community; a poem that resonates for me.

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verb (used with object)

resonated, resonating

1. to cause to resound.

resonate British  

/ ˈrɛzəˌneɪt /

verb

1. to resound or cause to resound; reverberate

2. (of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance

3. to be understood or receive a sympathetic response

   themes which will resonate with voters

4. to be filled with

   simple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty

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Other Word Forms

• resonation
  noun
• unresonating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of resonate

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin resonātus “sounded again,” past participle of resonāre “to sound again”; see resound

Explanation

To resonate is to make, hear, or even understand a deep, full sound. Your speech about the dangers of scarves and convertibles will resonate with your audience if you tell the story of Isadora Duncan's death. The verb resonate, which comes from the Latin resonatum, first referred only to sound, but has now developed an emotional connotation. Resonate sounds a whole lot like another verb, resound, but they have subtly different meanings. Resound means “to repeat the sound,” but resonate means “to expand, amplify.” Sound can resonate when broadcast through speakers, and so can an idea or feeling, when expressed articulately or with passion.

Example Sentences

“We acknowledge that there may be more war and pain in the Middle East, but that doesn’t mean stocks will continue to follow that trend,” said Alexander Guiliano, CIO at Resonate Wealth Partners.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“It feels like we’ve gone through an inflection point,” said Alex Guiliano, the chief investment officer at Resonate Wealth Partners in Ridgewood, N.J.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

The exhibition has arrived in Coventry as part of the university's Resonate programme, which aims to help the public to engage with cutting-edge research through events.

From BBC • May 9, 2023

Resonate Price varies This upstart co-op takes a contrarian approach to streaming economics — you pay a la carte per listen up to the price of a song’s download fee, then you own the track.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2022

The vibey spot is Resonate Brewery + Pizzeria and it’s in the Newport Hills neighborhood of Bellevue.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2019

Related Words

• echo
• reverberate
• vibrate