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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
The real question is not which analyzer sounds most advanced. Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Robert’s backstory — his life in Chicago, his mother’s tragic accidental death, his dad wanting to send him to military school, his aunt in Century City offering to take him in — sounds overly rehearsed. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
Back to the opening sequence, anyway, in which Lê tunes his film’s rhythms while Ninh fiddles with his own sound equipment. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026 Outpouring of grief The sound of sobbing underlays chanting in dozens of dialects woven together in a single expression of sorrow for Imam Hussein and his companions and family, killed and taken captive in the defining event of Shia Islam. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Parks, a transfer from Colorado, has had an excellent fall camp with multiple turnovers forced and sound coverage. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026 Series creator Christopher Storer is nominated for directing, and the show also earned nominations for sound mixing, picture editing and cinematography. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • Sheldon echoed many commenters who said the safety of his children should not be treated as an extension of a debate about their father's career.
    Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Judge Martinez-Olguin echoed those concerns in her ruling, noting that the new legal services agreements appeared to cover only a fraction of the services needed and failed to explain how compliance would be monitored.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers and watching Pete-Crow Armstrong outduel Shohei Ohtani in their MVP showdown seemed like the perfect way to end an exhilarating homestand for the Chicago Cubs.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That might seem like Polly Pocket numbers compared to the 800,000 Ford F-Series trucks sold in 2025, but raw numbers don’t tell the whole story.
    Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Keller taxpayers have voiced anger over how much money the district paid Davis and Jackson Walker while Davis served as the school board’s counsel.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lopez has lived in the building for more than a decade and was one of the few residents who spoke during the July hearing to voice his opposition.
    Isaac Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Still, some of the restrictions announced by the White House are expected to face legal challenges.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • After a discussion, the umpires announced that Schultz would have to exit because of the second mound visit of the inning.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ventyra has scaled the hardware down to true backpacking proportions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Price will scale with add-ons, obviously, and these Design Lab gamepads tend to balloon pretty quickly.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The stock plunged after SpaceX said in its first earnings report late Tuesday that capital expenditures were more than twice as high as revenue.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
  • While on an anniversary trip with her husband, Bernadette Vander Meer plunged to her death from the iconic Angels Landing tower in Zion National Park.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In a pretrial hearing, the judge overseeing the case ruled to allow the jury to hear his book and media interviews, saying the proffer agreement did not cover public statements.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a public hearing about the project, one resident shared concerns with the city about traffic in the area.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Oil is getting out of the strait – but the number is closer to 4 million barrels per day, according to JPMorgan.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The administration sees the naval blockade of the strait and sanctions as effective and views Trump as having additional options that can be cranked harder in the weeks and months ahead.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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