What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
resonate
Example
The message of the speaker really resonated with me. [resonated: past tense]
Example
The guitar's sound resonated through the room. [resonated: verb]
reverberate
Example
The thunder reverberated through the valley. [reverberated: past tense]
Example
The scandal reverberated throughout the company, leading to major changes. [reverberated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reverberate is more commonly used than resonate in everyday language. Reverberate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while resonate is less common and often used in specific contexts such as music or speeches.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between resonate and reverberate?
Both resonate and reverberate are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, reverberate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
