as in noise
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
the crowd decibels increased dramatically as the horses neared the finish line
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Recent Examples of decibels
The bill also establishes a solar photovoltaic noise barrier pilot program, which would attach solar panels onto highway sound walls, generating renewable energy while reducing noise pollution by 10-15 decibels, according to lawmakers.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Cabin noise during a typical flight can exceed 85 decibels, roughly equivalent to a lawnmower’s loudness.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
The average snore hovers around 60 decibels — about the level of normal speech — but can exceed 80.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
These centers can cause noise pollution, generating noise levels above 90 decibels.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a comparison chart by Yale, 75 decibels is roughly equivalent to the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
It can be used for up to 6 hours on a single charge and operates at just 40 to 50 decibels.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The microphone detects sound above the legal threshold, typically between 75 and 95 decibels depending on the city.
—Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Cabin noise during a typical flight can exceed 85 decibels, roughly equivalent to a lawnmower’s loudness.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
The average snore hovers around 60 decibels — about the level of normal speech — but can exceed 80.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
These centers can cause noise pollution, generating noise levels above 90 decibels.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a comparison chart by Yale, 75 decibels is roughly equivalent to the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
It can be used for up to 6 hours on a single charge and operates at just 40 to 50 decibels.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The microphone detects sound above the legal threshold, typically between 75 and 95 decibels depending on the city.
—Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
-
August 23 – September 22 Clarity lands where chatter once created noise.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
His photographs of New York redirect our attention by taking the noise out of the city.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The same phenomenon happens with police sirens, ambulance alarms, or the roar of an airplane.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Records say the sound created a deafening roar across Copenhagen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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