resinate, resonate

The words resinate, resonate sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do resinate, resonate sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: resinate, resonate are homophones of the English language.

resinate
  1. :: verb-transitive

    To impregnate, permeate, or flavor with resin.

resonate
  1. :: verb-intransitive

    To exhibit or produce resonance or resonant effects.

  2. :: verb-intransitive

    To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief: "It is a demonology [that] seems to resonate among secular and religious voters alike” ( Tamar Jacoby).

  3. :: verb-intransitive

    To correspond closely or harmoniously: "Symbolism matters, especially if the symbols resonate with the larger message” ( William Greider).

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To cause to resound.

Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition and Wordnik.

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About Homophones

Homophones (literally "same sound") are usually defined as words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of how they are spelled.

If they are spelled the same then they are also homographs (and homonyms); if they are spelled differently then they are also heterographs (literally "different writing").