resonate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
resonates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
resonated,
past participle, past
-
resonating
present participle
-
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)
-
resonates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
resonated,
past participle, past
-
resonating
present participle
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
resonatesimple
-
resonatessimple
-
have resonatedperfect
-
has resonatedperfect
-
am resonatingprogressive
-
are resonatingprogressive
-
is resonatingprogressive
-
have been resonatingperfect progressive
-
has been resonatingperfect progressive
Past
-
resonatedsimple
-
had resonatedperfect
-
was resonatingprogressive
-
were resonatingprogressive
-
had been resonatingperfect progressive
Future
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.
See Examples For:
“Laika makes timeless films that resonate with audiences around the world and across generations. ‘Wildwood’ carries that tradition forward.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
Food-and-beverage and consumer-products companies have been trying to freshen up or hive off dated brands and scoop up promising upstarts that resonate more with younger consumers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
"Indeed Fr Doyle's spirituality, and example, resonate very much with that of the spirituality of Gen Z," he added.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
And that’s what will resonate with you if you are an OG.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026
Nearly every month in 1919 included events that would resonate beyond that one year, bringing changes that echo into our own time.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
“In partnership with Jean-Georges, we’re building a lifestyle destination that blends world-class dining, holistic wellness, and elevated service—a combination that deeply resonates with globally-recognized athletes, food connoisseurs, and art and culture enthusiasts.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
A glance at the comment section under the video makes clear the group’s authenticity resonates with those who haven’t felt seen or heard in certain spaces.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Guardiola's tiki-taka Barcelona built around La Masia graduates Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and, of course, Lionel Messi still resonates more than a decade since he left.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Abraham, Moses, Jesus—all great influencers whose work still resonates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Bibi’s voice resonates: “To know yourself, you need to journey, Adaugo. Remember what’s forgotten.”
From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
But Saleh said that McDonald’s past chicken offerings, with different cuts and seasonings, hadn’t resonated with consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
Lee told AFP that Prue's journey resonated for her, and recalled some of her own challenges in adolescence.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
“That’s a really strong message that has resonated with our fans.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
"I was quite an angry young man, I suppose, but for some reason it resonated with people."
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Proud of his new skill, he found that shaping cedar resonated with him in an elusive but elemental way—it satisfied him down in his core, and gave him peace.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Perhaps because she understands that the internet is not real life, and that her message is resonating with a silent majority.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
How are they communicating their work, their vision and is it resonating with me?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
This seems to be resonating deeply with young people looking for answers.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
The Alaïa embellished flats that were everywhere two summers ago were such a hit that the brand made the shoes in other materials because clearly it’s resonating with shoppers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
“Human,” she intoned, her voice suddenly resonating with bass tones.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
