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
At full throttle, interior sound levels sit at just 65 decibels—about the same as a normal conversation.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
24 June 2026
The study shows that this area would experience noise exceeding 70 decibels; the legal limit is 80 decibels.
—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
However, moving the microphone just 2 inches (51 mm) away from the center of the sound spot reduced the volume by up to 50 decibels, making the audio nearly inaudible.
—
New Atlas,
14 June 2026
Measurements at the data centers that were the subject of complaints found noise levels were between 40 and 59 decibels on residential property.
—
Ed Maibach,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
That same architecture is what makes Neo quiet, operating at 22 decibels, quieter than a modern refrigerator.
—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
As a comparison, a highway generates 80 decibels.
—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
This was a plot twist with political and cultural significance because Italian American politicians were often accused—at varying decibels—of being in hock to the Mafia.
—
John Avlon,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
Other players joined in acknowledging supporters but the decibels of their disdain grew stronger.
—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
24 June 2026
The study shows that this area would experience noise exceeding 70 decibels; the legal limit is 80 decibels.
—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
However, moving the microphone just 2 inches (51 mm) away from the center of the sound spot reduced the volume by up to 50 decibels, making the audio nearly inaudible.
—
New Atlas,
14 June 2026
Measurements at the data centers that were the subject of complaints found noise levels were between 40 and 59 decibels on residential property.
—
Ed Maibach,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
That same architecture is what makes Neo quiet, operating at 22 decibels, quieter than a modern refrigerator.
—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
As a comparison, a highway generates 80 decibels.
—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
This was a plot twist with political and cultural significance because Italian American politicians were often accused—at varying decibels—of being in hock to the Mafia.
—
John Avlon,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
Other players joined in acknowledging supporters but the decibels of their disdain grew stronger.
—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
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But residents who live near hyperscale centers have expressed outrage over a range of issues, including health impacts, spiking utility bills, constant noise, dropping water pressure and concerns about potentially losing their land through eminent domain.
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Some carried placards and others banged plates, their noise cutting through the crowd protesting and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Noun
-
Gratitude on a stage has rarely seemed more palpable than in Williams basking in the glow of the arena roar; here is someone who, in the spirit of Dylan and the actual words of Doe, has been beyond and back.
-
Video taken from Vestavia Hills, a community in central Alabama, showed brown floodwater inundating local streets amid the roar of rain.
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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