resonate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
resonates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
resonated,
past participle, past
-
resonating
present participle
-
to resound.
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Electronics. to reinforce oscillations because the natural frequency of the device is the same as the frequency of the source.
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to amplify vocal sound by the sympathetic vibration of air in certain cavities and bony structures.
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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)
-
resonates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
resonated,
past participle, past
-
resonating
present participle
verb
-
to resound or cause to resound; reverberate
-
(of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance
-
to be understood or receive a sympathetic response
themes which will resonate with voters
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to be filled with
simple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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resonatesimple
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resonatessimple
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have resonatedperfect
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has resonatedperfect
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am resonatingprogressive
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are resonatingprogressive
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is resonatingprogressive
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have been resonatingperfect progressive
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has been resonatingperfect progressive
Past
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resonatedsimple
-
had resonatedperfect
-
was resonatingprogressive
-
were resonatingprogressive
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had been resonatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of resonate
First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin resonātus “sounded again,” past participle of resonāre “to sound again”; see resound
Explanation
To resonate is to make, hear, or even understand a deep, full sound. Your speech about the dangers of scarves and convertibles will resonate with your audience if you tell the story of Isadora Duncan's death. The verb resonate, which comes from the Latin resonatum, first referred only to sound, but has now developed an emotional connotation. Resonate sounds a whole lot like another verb, resound, but they have subtly different meanings. Resound means “to repeat the sound,” but resonate means “to expand, amplify.” Sound can resonate when broadcast through speakers, and so can an idea or feeling, when expressed articulately or with passion.
Vocabulary lists containing resonate
A Long Way Gone
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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This Week in Words: September 17 - 24, 2017
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The show is "lacking some provocation or some meaningful messaging that can resonate with international audiences", Vuletic told AFP.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2026
Pearson believes the rewatch discussions resonate with listeners because the shows of the 1990s and early 2000s thrived when the viewers had the shared experience of watching a show at the same time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
While the paintings may not be physically vibrating, their compositions resonate with a similar intensity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
“Joe has built something incredibly enduring, and his show continues to resonate with a massive global audience because there’s simply nothing else like it,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
As it increases its pace, the sea itself seems to resonate with its movement, beginning to revolve in a slow eddy, but quickly picking up speed.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
Born to Moroccan immigrants and raised in an Israeli city far from the Tel Aviv center, his everyman story also resonates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
“In partnership with Jean-Georges, we’re building a lifestyle destination that blends world-class dining, holistic wellness, and elevated service—a combination that deeply resonates with globally-recognized athletes, food connoisseurs, and art and culture enthusiasts.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
“I think Turning Point resonates more with youth,” Yock said.
From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026
Guardiola's tiki-taka Barcelona built around La Masia graduates Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and, of course, Lionel Messi still resonates more than a decade since he left.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
In a constant rhythm so loud it resonates in my skull.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
Doherty said the dispute resonated strongly in a city shaped by civil-rights campaigns and Northern Ireland's decades-long Troubles conflict.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Those never resonated with me, since I’m lucky enough to pass in most situations as introverted or awkward.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
But Saleh said that McDonald’s past chicken offerings, with different cuts and seasonings, hadn’t resonated with consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
“That’s a really strong message that has resonated with our fans.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
For me, the idea resonated in a big way.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Perhaps because she understands that the internet is not real life, and that her message is resonating with a silent majority.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
But “in this economic environment, when people are renters for longer and maybe renters for their whole lives, that identity is really resonating with people more, especially my generation,” she said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
How are they communicating their work, their vision and is it resonating with me?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
This seems to be resonating deeply with young people looking for answers.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
Then she realized the persistent boom ba-boom was all around them, resonating through the stone and the air.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
