resonate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'resonate' is an appropriate word to use in written English.
It is used to describe a strong feeling of agreement or emotional connection to a particular person, action, or idea. For example, you could say, "When I heard the story of his charity work, I was deeply moved and it really resonated with me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the hair's breadth difference poll results between Labour and Conservative that appear each day, neither party wants to commit to investing in an economically important and electorally resonate sector.

The Guardian

Their voices; "miss, miss I want to become an engineer...miss, miss I want to work in computing," resonate through the classrooms.

The Guardian

She must have called him Guido when he was in her tummy; that has to resonate.

The Guardian

We believe that this kind of message will resonate better with rural populations," Ike said.

The Guardian

The two unfolding spy stories resonate powerfully with each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

In turn, they train our staff to look for angles that will resonate with the public and help us to improve our journalistic writing ability.

The Guardian

Despite the steady drip-drip of death, the Mediterranean story has yet to resonate with a European public short on empathy: Guardian stories on migration on our website consistently attract very low numbers of readers.

The Guardian

Tad Devine, a longtime consultant to Democratic presidential candidates, agreed that 2016 might present an opening to Sanders, a year in which his message could resonate.

The Guardian

Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, said that while Clinton may currently be emphasizing issues that resonate with Democratic primary voters, there was no reason to think the words were not honestly come by, and the candidate did not seem to be straying outside her central political identity.

The Guardian

At its heart is a collaborative and participative approach to developing brand stories that resonate amongst the highly engaged communities across all the Guardian platforms.

The Guardian

Nor do they strike targets that resonate throughout the Muslim world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resonate" to describe the feeling of emotional connection or agreement with an idea, message, or experience. For example, a speaker's personal story might "resonate" deeply with the audience.

Common error

While "resonate" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "align", "correspond", or "harmonize" may be more appropriate. Relying too heavily on "resonate" can dilute the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resonate" is as an intransitive verb, describing the act of producing or being filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound, or of evoking a feeling of agreement, understanding, or shared emotion. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academic Sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resonate" is a versatile verb that describes a deep connection or agreement with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and frequent use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business writing. While "resonate" is widely applicable, consider alternatives like "strike a chord" or "ring true" for more precise meanings. Remember to use "resonate with" to correctly express connection, and be mindful of overuse in strictly formal or technical settings. Leveraging these guidelines will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing when using the word "resonate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strike a chord

This alternative emphasizes the emotional impact or connection something has with someone.

ring true

This alternative focuses on the authenticity and believability of something.

have an impact

This alternative highlights the effect or influence something has on someone or something.

be meaningful

This alternative stresses the significance and importance of something.

find an echo

This alternative suggests that something is being repeated or reflected elsewhere.

be well-received

This alternative focuses on the positive reception and acceptance of something.

carry weight

This alternative emphasizes the importance and influence of someone or something.

have relevance

This alternative stresses the connection and applicability of something to a particular situation or person.

be significant

This alternative highlights the importance and consequence of something.

generate support

This alternative emphasizes the action of gaining approval and backing.

FAQs

How to use "resonate" in a sentence?

You can use "resonate" to describe when something deeply connects with your own feelings or experiences. For example, "The speaker's words really resonated with me."

What can I say instead of "resonate"?

You can use alternatives like "strike a chord", "ring true", or "have an impact" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "resonate with" or "resonate to"?

"Resonate with" is the correct and more commonly used phrase when indicating that something connects or aligns with someone's feelings or experiences. "Resonate to" is less frequent and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "resonate" and "echo"?

"Resonate" implies a deeper, emotional connection or agreement, whereas "echo" suggests a repetition or reflection of something without necessarily implying the same level of emotional depth. Something that "resonates" has a profound impact, while something that "echoes" is simply repeated.