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 Massachusetts attorney general is sounding off after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a group of Maryland parents who challenged their school district’s decision to deny them the ability to opt out their young children from such instruction. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025

Fans sounded off in the comments section about the father-daughter duo's interaction. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 June 2025

Costco members on a Reddit page devoted to Costco gossip also sounded off about the new drink. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025

Videos from the scene show plumes of smoke, blown out windows on nearby buildings, and sirens sounding off. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 17 May 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