sound-bite

1 of 2

adjective

: containing or characterized by sound bites
sound-bite politics

sound bite

2 of 2

noun

: a brief recorded statement (as by a public figure) broadcast especially on a television news program
also : a brief catchy comment or saying

Examples of sound-bite in a Sentence

Noun His campaign relies on catchy sound bites.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Leo smiles easily, is quiet, calm, gentle and not the master of a sound-bite. Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025 Executive compensation is inherently complex, and a thorough examination of its multiple facets, rather than fixating on a single sound-bite figure, is critical to evaluate whether the contract effectively aligns with shareholder interests. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024
Noun
Most companies don’t like to promote their failures, and canceling Police Squad was undeniably a dumb move, so ABC/Disney is unlikely to want to resurrect the kind of sound bites like in the article linked above. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 June 2025 Slamming Trump is Democrats’ favorite hobby, and whipping up a frenzy over retirement funds and Social Security payments makes for good sound bites aimed at the base. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound-bite

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1986, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sound-bite was in 1972

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Sound-bite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound-bite. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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