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resonate
/ˈrɛzəneɪt/
evoke a feeling of familiarity or emotional connection
Her speech resonated with the audience, many of whom nodded in agreement.
The speaker's words strongly connected with the listeners, who felt understood.
literal
to produce or be filled with a deep, clear, continuing sound
The guitar strings resonated with a rich, vibrant tone.
The guitar produced a deep, sustained sound.
Often used for physical vibrations (sound, light, etc.).
figurative
to evoke or suggest images, memories, or emotions
The novel's themes of loss resonate with readers who have experienced grief.
The book's ideas about grief feel deeply familiar to many readers.
Common in discussions about art, music, or storytelling.
figurative
to share or have a meaningful connection with someone's feelings or experiences
His story about overcoming adversity resonated with the therapy group.
The group felt a strong emotional connection to his experiences.
Often used in therapeutic or empathetic contexts.
Collocations
resonate with someoneto strongly appeal to or connect with someone emotionallyresonate deeplyto have a very strong emotional impactresonate stronglyto evoke a powerful response
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'resonate'
While versatile, 'resonate' is often overused in writing. Consider alternatives like 'echo,' 'ring true,' or 'strike a chord' for variety.
Gold Rule
Match the context to the meaning
Use 'resonate' literally for sound (e.g., 'The bell resonated loudly') and figuratively for emotions or ideas (e.g., 'Her words resonated with me').
Word Origin
From Latin *resonare* (to re-echo), from *re-* (again) + *sonare* (to sound). Entered English in the late 17th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both literal (sound vibrations) and figurative (emotional connection) contexts. In informal speech, often shortened to 'reso' (e.g., 'That song really reso's with me').
Word Breakdown
re-
again
prefix-son-
sound
root-ate
to make or cause
suffixEnglish Dictionary