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
Adjective
Part of Disney’s challenge involves the sound-bite nature of the campaign trail. Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 3 July 2023 Scott’s earnest, if sound-bite heavy, optimism and DeSantis’ dogged, if charmless, record of substantive and political wins would both contrast with a Trump 2024 campaign focused on his personal grievances and political retribution. Patrick T. Brown, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023
Noun
Only Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old former pharmaceutical executive who has seen a surprising spike in polling over the summer, seemed to have a sound bite ready. Molly Taft, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2023 In media and online, he is largely defined through an explosive vernacular of zany interview clips, Photoshopped images, and antagonistic sound bites. Jason Parham, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2023 Science and engineering should dictate the pace of development and readiness, not politicians driven by sound bites and election cycles trying to legislate it into existence. Nick Landekic, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Apr. 2023 Chief Justice John Marshall, authoritative interpreter and a major founding figure himself, peppered his landmark opinions with headline-friendly sound bites and even penned pseudonymous op-eds. Simon Lazarus, The New Republic, 21 Apr. 2023 Moore rarely gives a straightforward answer to questions, preferring stories to sound bites, and tends to race off on lively tangents. Lexi Pandell, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2023 All three animals were reacting to sound bites from boom boxes in the woods, part of a study measuring the effect of outdoor recreationists’ noise on wildlife. WIRED, 8 July 2023 Wilder remains a key figure in the heavyweight division with one potential fight looming after another, and his presence and penchant for killer sound bites would certainly spice things up on the set. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023 In a media landscape where athletes are increasingly expected to speak in sound bites, Jabeur is refreshingly genuine. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near sound-bite

Cite this Entry

“Sound-bite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound-bite. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

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