What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
resonate
Example
The story of the protagonist's struggle with mental health really resonated with me. [resonated: past tense]
Example
The singer's voice resonated throughout the concert hall, filling the space with her powerful vocals. [resonated: verb]
vibrate
Example
The phone vibrated in my pocket, indicating that I had received a message. [vibrated: past tense]
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to vibrate, making it difficult to stand. [vibrate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vibrate is more commonly used than resonate in everyday language. Vibrate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while resonate is less common and has a more specific meaning related to sound and emotion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between resonate and vibrate?
Both resonate and vibrate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but resonate may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.