resonate

verb

res·o·nate ˈre-zə-ˌnāt

resonated; resonating

Synonyms of resonate next

intransitive verb

: to produce or exhibit resonance

: to respond as if by resonance

resonate to the music

also : to have a repetitive pattern that resembles resonance

: to relate harmoniously : strike a chord

a message that resonates with voters

transitive verb

: to subject to resonating

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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”).

Example Sentences

The siren resonated throughout the city. the deep sounds of the bassoon resonated through the concert hall

Recent Examples on the Web Robinson, who founded a church in 1999, said the revelations about his ancestor resonate in a tangible way. —

Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 3 June 2023 Vázquez, the Spotify executive, thinks that versatility is a large part of the reason Doble P is resonating with so many listeners. —

Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 2 June 2023 In the end, Erdogan’s rosy view of the country’s future resonated with voters more than the opposition’s focus on his missteps, said Harun Kucuk, a director at the University of Pennsylvania’s Middle East Center. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2023 They were surprised by how their message resonated across the divide. —

Mark Arax, New York Times, 1 June 2023 Reynolds said Healey’s message should resonate with young women. —

Sonel Cutler, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2023 The lyrics are simple yet meaningful and have resonated with the TikTok audience. —

Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 31 May 2023 While more than 20,000 mental health and self-help apps exist, few if any resonate with men. —

Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023 That suspended state resonates with most poignancy in O’Connor’s affecting performance, floating between open-heartedness and fatalism, between the comforting escape of dreams and the sadness of reality. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resonate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.