resonate

verb res·o·nate \ ˈre-zə-ˌnāt \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of resonate

resonated; resonating

intransitive verb

1 : to produce or exhibit resonance

2 : to respond as if by resonance

resonate to the music

; also : to have a repetitive pattern that resembles resonance

3 : to relate harmoniously : strike a chord

a message that resonates with voters

transitive verb

: to subject to resonating

See resonate defined for English-language learners

See resonate defined for kids

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 of resonate from the Web

Greer’s boyfriend Cory, whose career falls apart after a family tragedy, and Faith’s benefactor, the fabulously wealthy Emmet Shrader, who is reminiscent of former Steinem paramour Mort Zuckerman, don’t resonate like the women in the book.

— clare mchugh, Time, "Meg Wolizter Explores Feminism and Friendship in The Female Persuasion," 5 Apr. 2018
Yet, that victory didn’t resonate much beyond Indiana.

— michael knight, USA TODAY Sports, "IndyCar struggling to make new generation of drivers household names," 5 Apr. 2018
At times, the document provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the grievances of individual companies have resonated with the Trump administration.

— Scientific American, "EPA to Roll Back Car Efficiency Rules, Despite Science That Supports Them," 3 Apr. 2018
Apparently even in the reddest of red districts, tax cuts for rich people and corporations just didn't resonate.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Get ready. Republicans want to cut taxes again.," 16 Mar. 2018
Someone’s ‘not from around here.’ That resonates with people in the same way regardless of the office.

— jim morrill, charlotteobserver, "NC candidates face scrutiny over residency: ‘Someone’s not from around here’ | Charlotte Observer," 15 Mar. 2018
Lots of other student movements, such as Black Lives Matter or the Day Without Immigrants in 2006, were more localized, and hit many key cities but didn’t resonate on the national level in the way that these walkouts have.

— isabel fattal, The Atlantic, "What Will the Nationwide School Walkouts Accomplish?," 14 Mar. 2018
That said, one thing that does resonate: unlike a lot of other Ayurvedic empires out there, Dr. Singha kept his business pretty small—just his practice and a few products like the bath, a health tonic, and a mustard rub.

— priya krishna, Bon Appetit, "Why Is Dr. Singha's Mustard Bath the Wellness World's Favorite Remedy?," 7 Mar. 2018
But what resonated in the ’70s takes on a different tenor 44 years later.

— katie walsh, kansascity, "‘Death Wish’ just feels wrong in this age of gun violence | The Kansas City Star," 1 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'resonate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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”).

First Known Use of resonate

1873

resonate Synonyms

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

RESONATE Defined for English Language Learners

resonate

verb

Definition of resonate for English Language Learners

: to continue to produce a loud, clear, deep sound for a long time
: to have particular meaning or importance for someone : to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way

Learn More about resonate

See words that rhyme with resonate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for resonate Nglish: Translation of resonate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of resonate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up resonate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

resonate

Definition of resonate

Examples of resonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of resonate from the Web

resonate vs. reverberate

First Known Use of resonate

resonate Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Music Terms

RESONATE Defined for English Language Learners

resonate

Definition of resonate for English Language Learners

Learn More about resonate

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

resonate

Definition of resonate

Examples of resonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of resonate from the Web

resonate vs. reverberate

First Known Use of resonate

resonate Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Music Terms

RESONATE Defined for English Language Learners

resonate

Definition of resonate for English Language Learners

Learn More about resonate

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes