resonate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to resound.
-
Electronics. to reinforce oscillations because the natural frequency of the device is the same as the frequency of the source.
-
to amplify vocal sound by the sympathetic vibration of air in certain cavities and bony structures.
-
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.
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to resound or cause to resound; reverberate
-
(of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance
-
to be understood or receive a sympathetic response
themes which will resonate with voters
-
to be filled with
simple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing resonate
A Long Way Gone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: September 17 - 24, 2017
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Joshua Blank, the research director of the Texas Politics Project, said it’s difficult to make that line of attack resonate outside the donor class.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
“We delivered a strong first quarter as our value proposition continued to resonate with members across our clubs and at our gas stations,” said CEO Bob Eddy.
From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026
Nike also kept pushing the Jordan brand, which includes Air Jordan shoes, even though it didn’t resonate with younger Chinese, many of them born after Michael Jordan retired.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
Finally, we have Ukrainian band Leléka, whose song Ridnym without breaking Eurovision rules on neutrality, will resonate with anyone who has lived through a war.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
‘Mother Gaia ..His voice was impossibly deep, shaking the ruins, making the metal scaffold resonate under Piper’s feet. ‘In ancient times, blood mixed with your soil to create life.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
