resonate, avail, expiate, garble, importune: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Master set 24. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. resonate · verb/ˈrɛzəˌneɪt/

   to produce a deep emotional response or seem personally meaningful

   The music played during the ceremony seemed to resonate deeply with everyone present.

   Synonyms: sound, ring, echo

   Origin: From Latin 'resonare', meaning 'to resound' or 'to echo'

2. avail · verb/əˈveɪl/

   to help or benefit someone; used reflexively with 'of' to mean make use of

   I will avail myself of the special discounts at the store this weekend.

   Synonyms: use, benefit, exploit

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'aval', meaning 'to avail oneself'.

3. expiate · verb/ˈɛk.spi.eɪt/

   to make amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing

   He tried to expiate his mistake by helping others in need.

   Synonyms: atone, compensate, redeem

   Origin: From Latin 'expiat-', the present subjunctive of 'expiāre', which means 'to atone for'.

4. garble · verb/ˈɡɑr.bəl/

   to confuse or distort the meaning of something

   The teacher's instructions were garbled, making it hard for the students to understand what to do.

   Synonyms: mix up, confuse, jumble

   Origin: The word 'garble' originates from the Latin word 'garbalia', meaning 'to sift', which evolved in the Middle Ages to refer to distorted speech.

5. importune · verb/ɪmˈpɔrˌtun/

   to ask urgently or repeatedly for something

   The child began to importune his parents for a new toy, asking them over and over again.

   Synonyms: beg, beseech, request

   Origin: from Latin 'importunus', meaning 'unfit, troublesome'