resonate

American  

[rez-uh-neyt] / ˈrɛz əˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

resonated, resonating

1. to resound.

2. to act as a resonator; exhibit resonance.

3. Electronics. to reinforce oscillations because the natural frequency of the device is the same as the frequency of the source.

4. to amplify vocal sound by the sympathetic vibration of air in certain cavities and bony structures.

5. 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)

resonated, resonating

1. to cause to resound.

resonate British  

/ ˈrɛzəˌneɪt /

verb

1. to resound or cause to resound; reverberate

2. (of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance

3. to be understood or receive a sympathetic response

   themes which will resonate with voters

4. to be filled with

   simple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty

---

Other Word Forms

• resonation noun
• unresonating adjective

Etymology

Origin of resonate

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin resonātus “sounded again,” past participle of resonāre “to sound again”; resound

Example Sentences

It felt like it was supposed to stay legendary and invisible unless your bones resonated with the same songs.

From Literature

"That message resonates... because this is the audience that has been so attacked by financial institutions," Ohlhausen said.

From Barron's

“To have someone who’s talking about it, addressing it, making it a joke is something that really resonates right now.”

From The Wall Street Journal

His promise of change resonated with an electorate that was angry at corruption, nepotism and elite rule.

From BBC

Its themes of loss, love—both personal and patriotic—and faith resonate deeply, especially for us as Americans.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• echo
• reverberate
• vibrate