sound off

verb

sounded off; sounding off; sounds off

intransitive verb

1

: to play three chords before and after marching up and down a line of troops during a ceremonial parade or formal guard mount

2

: to count cadence while marching

3

a

: to speak up in a loud voice

b

: to voice one's opinions freely and vigorously

Synonyms

• speak out
• shout
• cry
• pipe up
• speak up
• yell
• talk up
• shoot
• speak one's mind
• spout (off)
• call

Examples of sound off in a Sentence

she never missed a chance to sound off about the latest “stupid” political decisions

the guard captain commanded each sentry to sound off

Recent Examples on the Web

The high pitch siren of the casualty bots sounded off in the distance. —Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

Practice rounds sometimes turn into showcases of raw talent, the kind that leave teammates shaking their heads at the sound off his club face. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025

On the other hand, Arenas sounded off on the Cowboys for going through with such a trade. —Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

For the writers pictured here, engaging with culture isn’t a hobby or a sideline or a way of sounding off. —Richard Renaldi, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sound off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

sound off

verb

1

: to count while marching

2

: to voice one's opinions freely with force