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
Deep sleepers will appreciate the gradual wakeup call from a large catalog of alarm sounds, and an alarm volume that reaches decibels capable of reviving a bear from its hibernation.
—
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Mar. 2026
Data centers are not allowed to produce sound louder than 59 decibels during the day or 49 decibels at night, as measured at the facility’s property line, and the city would require data centers monitor their sound around the clock.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
His voice grew distorted as the microphone struggled to contain the decibels.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
During the demo, the sound meter appears to be tracking noise levels from 50 to 70 decibels (dBA) as the aircraft hovers.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Some devices produce sound levels above 170 decibels – far louder than most gunshots.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Honda says that altogether, these enhancements reduce interior noise by two or three decibels, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but the result is indeed a serene ride.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
The complaint alleges the decibels measured from Ford Amphitheater range between 60 and 77.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Mar. 2026
Data centers are not allowed to produce sound louder than 59 decibels during the day or 49 decibels at night, as measured at the facility’s property line, and the city would require data centers monitor their sound around the clock.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026
His voice grew distorted as the microphone struggled to contain the decibels.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
During the demo, the sound meter appears to be tracking noise levels from 50 to 70 decibels (dBA) as the aircraft hovers.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Some devices produce sound levels above 170 decibels – far louder than most gunshots.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Honda says that altogether, these enhancements reduce interior noise by two or three decibels, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but the result is indeed a serene ride.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
The complaint alleges the decibels measured from Ford Amphitheater range between 60 and 77.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
-
The Boston bats made little noise all night in North Port.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Comfort grows as the instinctive Moon centers your 4th House of Home and Family, bringing attention to routines that shelter you from the world’s noise.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the end of every episode, the SXSW audience let out a roar that seemed to get louder each time.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Before any roar from the crowd at Austin’s Paramount Theatre, the Hall of Fame has a tradition in the walk-up to SXSW, lauding the Lone Star state’s most platinum in cinema at The Texas Film Awards, who are then inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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