resonate

verb

res·​o·​nate ˈre-zə-ˌnāt How to pronounce resonate (audio)
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

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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”).

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 Geologists say this results from seismic activity resonated by the canyon walls. Li Cohen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024 Radical optimism, in itself, felt like something that really resonated with me over the past few years. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resonate 

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.

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resonate was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near resonate

Cite this Entry

“Resonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resonate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

resonate

verb
res·​o·​nate ˈrez-ᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce resonate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on resonate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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