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Definition of soundnext
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as in to echo
to continue or be repeated in a series of reflected sound waves the stranded hiker's cries for help sounded throughout the canyon

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sound

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verb (2)

1
as in to scale
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line the pilot sounded the river to make sure we weren't in any danger of running aground

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2
as in to plunge
to cast oneself head first into deep water a whale suddenly surfaced and then, just as suddenly, sounded

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as in hearing
range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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sound

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noun (2)

as in strait
a narrow body of water between two land masses Long Island Sound is between Connecticut and Long Island, New York

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sound

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sound different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sound are cogent, convincing, telling, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

When might cogent be a better fit than sound?

While in some cases nearly identical to sound, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When is convincing a more appropriate choice than sound?

The meanings of convincing and sound largely overlap; however, convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

When could telling be used to replace sound?

While the synonyms telling and sound are close in meaning, telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

When can valid be used instead of sound?

In some situations, the words valid and sound are roughly equivalent. However, valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sound
Verb
Ippolito looks a little more like a yassified Wolff brother than Stallone, but his voice is appropriately thick and heavy and, well, Rocky-sounding. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 July 2026 High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and kidney dysfunction may be invisible, but screening at an annual checkup can sound the alarm. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 July 2026
Noun
Participants used a device at home that delivered flickering light and clicking sound at 40 hertz for one hour a day. Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026 The last, loudest horn would emit a sound similar to, if not more fierce than, the current average car horn sound. Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
Adjective
Years of history are apparent throughout the apartment—Wilde even added moments of creaky wood floors into the sound mix. Emily Zemler, Architectural Digest, 10 July 2026 There are still plenty of aeronautically sound paper plane schematics to attempt, including one officially endorsed by NASA. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • Dropping him into a hot program gives creative a real obstacle for both men, echoing how WWE has positioned other fresh SmackDown arrivals as immediate disruptors.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The actors union echoed CAA’s concerns about what appears to be a case of Big Tech overreach.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Some celebrity wines seem more focused on lining investors’ pockets than impressing palates.
    Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • There are historical examples of teams that seemed dead in the water only to catch fire and make the playoffs.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Zann eventually got a call from casting director Meredith Layne and a screenplay with lines that were instantly familiar from her time voicing Rogue, the spunky heroine whose touch can be deadly, in the ‘90s.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Some experts have voiced concerns the administration did not allocate enough time to complete all security renovations, given the administration plans to donate the plane to Trump’s library foundation in 2029.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Like whether aliens will be announced by the US government, whether a coup attempt will take place in Russia — even whether the earth is flat.
    Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Samsung Confirms Launch Date Of New Galaxy Foldables Samsung has announced its latest Galaxy Unpacked event.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • This outbreak comes just one year after the CDC scaled back monitoring of cyclospora.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • As the Gulf scales its AI capabilities, advanced manufacturing facilities, and hyperscale data centre infrastructure, battery energy storage is emerging as a critical enabler of reliable, flexible, and resilient power systems.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • Atlantia was the controlling shareholder in motorway operator Autostrade per l’Italia at the time of the disaster which killed 43 ​people when their vehicles plunged from the flyover.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • The satellites would only survive about 20 minutes before ultimately plunging to their fiery doom reentering Earth’s atmosphere.
    Lee Billings & Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • The judge scheduled a hearing for the motion on Monday morning, but the issue is now moot.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • Colt Gray previously pleaded not guilty and is expected to appear in court for a change-of-plea hearing on July 24.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • Transits through the strait had risen after the lifting of the previous US blockade and the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The new project would allow containers to enter and leave the country without having to pass through the strait, before moving them on trucks overland to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and neighboring Gulf countries.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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