sound 1 of 5

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as in to echo
to continue or be repeated in a series of reflected sound waves the stranded hiker's cries for help sounded throughout the canyon

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sound

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verb (2)

1
as in to scale
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line the pilot sounded the river to make sure we weren't in any danger of running aground

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2
as in to plunge
to cast oneself head first into deep water a whale suddenly surfaced and then, just as suddenly, sounded

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sound

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noun (1)

as in hearing
range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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sound

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noun (2)

as in strait
a narrow body of water between two land masses Long Island Sound is between Connecticut and Long Island, New York

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sound

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adjective

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How is the word sound different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sound are cogent, convincing, telling, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

When might cogent be a better fit than sound?

While in some cases nearly identical to sound, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is convincing a more appropriate choice than sound?

The meanings of convincing and sound largely overlap; however, convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

When could telling be used to replace sound?

While the synonyms telling and sound are close in meaning, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

When can valid be used instead of sound?

In some situations, the words valid and sound are roughly equivalent. However, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

Examples of sound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Ortega sounds confident that the agency’s agenda isn’t changing — with or without Hagekhalil. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 For some folks, that sounds too small, but don’t underestimate their wrist presence, nor the fact that those small sizes keep prices down for collectors. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2024 As revolutionary as a checkout-free warehouse club experience may sound, what Sam’s Club plans to unveil later this month is, in reality, far more evolution than revolution, and that’s the beauty of it. Chris Walton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 This rhetoric may sound high-minded, but—not surprisingly—Altman’s position is also somewhat self-interested. Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sound 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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