resonant with

USAGE SUMMARY

"resonant with" is a common and correct phrase used in written English.
It means that something has a strong connection to something else; either in terms of emotional impact, physical effect, or symbolic significance. For example: The sounds of a wind chime were resonant with memories of her childhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The final casting, as it develops, is resonant with implications.

The New York Times

The drum sound is deeper, more resonant, with more midrange.

The New York Times - Arts

Not unexpectedly, the Black Label is a cloudy wine, resonant with pine flavors.

The New York Times - Food

It's a value that's deeply resonant with my immigrant self-narrative.

The Washington Post

In poetry our familiar language can start to feel resonant with significance, more alive, even noble.

The New York Times - Books

Only the F and T lines are transmitted, being resonant with the Cs-D1 transition.

Nature

These works were intimate, handmade reveries, cryptic yet resonant with outsize themes: history, death, love, fame.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Youn struck a chord of autumnal romance, resonant with compassion and abiding love.

The New York Times - Arts

Its sheer difficulty makes it resonant with the values of capitalism.

The New Yorker

And this song was very resonant with my father growing up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

See if any--or all of them--resonant with you. 1. Start small.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "meaning", "significance", "history" or "possibility" to elevate the tone of your writing.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "resonant" as a verb (e.g. "it doesn't resonant with me"). In these cases, the correct word is the verb "resonate". Use "resonant" only when an adjective is required, typically following a form of the verb "to be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resonant with" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that serves to link a subject to a quality or association that it evokes. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often acts as a predicate adjective following a linking verb like "to be" or "to feel", creating a bridge between a tangible object and an intangible concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resonant with" is a powerful and highly effective phrase for any writer looking to add weight and evocative depth to their prose. Ludwig AI data shows that it is exceptionally common in professional writing, spanning from film reviews in The New York Times to complex scientific papers in Nature. The most important distinction to remember is its role as an adjective; it should describe a state of being rather than an action. While it is frequently used to describe emotional or cultural connections (like being "resonant with" history), it retains its literal roots in physical science. Avoid the common error of using it as a verb, and you will find it to be a sophisticated addition to your vocabulary that helps bridge the gap between the physical world and the world of ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evocative of

Emphasizes the power to bring strong images or feelings to mind

reminiscent of

Focuses more on triggering memories or specific past experiences

echoing

Suggests a direct repetition or reflection of an idea or sound

in harmony with

Focuses on the aesthetic or peaceful balance between elements

imbued with

Suggests that a quality or emotion thoroughly permeates something

redolent of

Carries a strong sensory or nostalgic suggestion, often related to smell

aligned with

Shifts the focus toward logical or strategic agreement

consistent with

Indicates a lack of contradiction rather than emotional depth

saturated with

Implies a maximum intensity or abundance of a particular quality

rich in

Emphasizes the abundance of a quality rather than the suggestive connection

FAQs

How do I use "resonant with" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that evokes a strong feeling or connection, such as: "The author's latest novel is "resonant with" the themes of loss and redemption."

What can I say instead of "resonant with"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you can use alternatives like "evocative of", "reminiscent of" or "echoing".

Is it "resonant with" or "resonant to"?

The standard preposition is "with". While "to" is occasionally seen in technical acoustics, "resonant with" is the correct choice for idiomatic English in 99% of contexts.

What is the difference between "resonant with" and "resonate with"?

"resonant with" is an adjective phrase describing a state (e.g. "the room was resonant with sound"), while "resonate with" is a verb phrase describing an action or effect (e.g. "his words resonate with the audience").