resonate

verb

res·​o·​nate ˈre-zə-ˌnāt 

resonated; resonating; resonates

intransitive verb

1

: to produce or exhibit resonance

A person’s voice … is made by sound resonating in the mouth and nose …

—Ken Carlson

2

: to respond as if by resonance

resonate to the music

also : to have a repetitive pattern that resembles resonance

3

: to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way

a message that resonates with voters

transitive verb

: to subject to resonating

Did you know?

Resonate vs. Reverberate

Resonate and reverberate each have at least one meaning that is concerned with sound, and they carry a degree of overlap in their definitions. However, there are some subtle differences between them that are worth observing. Resonate typically suggests that a single lasting sound is produced; reverberate, on the other hand, indicates that an initial sound is followed by a series of echoes. In terms of the contexts in which they are used, resonate often involves a person (“that passage of the book resonated with many young readers”); reverberate, on the other hand, is more likely to be used of a thing, such as the aftermath of some major event (“the shock caused by the assassination reverberated across Europe”).

Synonyms

• echo
• reecho
• resound
• reverberate
• sound

Examples of resonate in a Sentence

The siren resonated throughout the city.

The deep sounds of the bassoon resonated through the concert hall.

Recent Examples on the Web

By depicting how the band impacted fans on a non-musical level, Beatles '64 both accentuates their power as a cultural force that transcends songs and also makes the message resonate even more deeply for those of us who didn’t follow their path to rockstar glory. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Despite technical proficiency, these pieces frequently lack a meaningful, tangible message that resonates with audiences. —Kolja Brand, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Tiramisu, an Italian classic, resonates with residents in four states, including California and Florida. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Breen’s lawyers argue that proper mental healthcare at age 12 could have prevented her transition altogether, a claim that resonates with the growing public scrutiny of transgender procedures for minors. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

resonate

verb

res·​o·​nate ˈrez-ᵊn-ˌāt 

resonated; resonating

1

: to produce or exhibit resonance

2

a

: to respond as if by resonance

resonate to the music

b

: to strike a chord

a message that resonates with voters