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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
Now, as tastes change, Yeat’s output sounds more like a scramble for identity. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 That sounds obvious, but many organizations deploy AI broadly and only begin thinking about ROI after implementation. — Samir Dutta, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The sounds of taiko drumming, the strings of a shamisen and the excitement of 800 people is expected to fill the air at Julia Davis Park this Sunday at the 16th annual Japan Day Festival. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026 There’s so much premeditation and passion into doing that, and to actually play that with no music and just the sound and the banality of a lifeless body being hit by some blunt instrument is very viscerally upsetting. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Over time, that becomes one of the clearest signs of sound judgment and an ability to govern in service of the mission. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 What was available to test was faster Shazam for identifying songs and sound recognition for alerting you of potentially urgent nearby noises. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • The Arctic island's top leaders echoed that stance and said the deal, which has not yet been made public, was long in coming.
    — JAMES BROOKS, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Ole Miss coach Pete Golding echoed the calls for restraint from Rebels fans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hnin Aye read every news article about new passport restrictions and regulations, which seemed to change every month.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Meta Platforms' launch of its Muse AI agent app and Nebius's move to raise rental rates on AI computing access seemed to spark the buying spurt in related AI stocks.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Kathryn Hunter, John Ratzenberger, and Jamie Costa will also voice as-yet-undisclosed characters.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Yashire and Walker first voiced their concerns 26 years ago, when they were interviewed by New Nation, a newspaper for Britain’s Black community.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The rapper and producer’s death was announced Thursday on social media by the Mobo Awards, which celebrates music of Black origin.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • But under a rule change announced by the government on September 17, even working the 88 days per year required for a new working holiday visa won’t be enough.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • All onshore experiences are locally guided, offered in small groups, and scaled to different activity levels.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Yet at an event on Thursday, Huang displayed unwavering confidence, projecting that Nvidia's chip sales will double next year as nations and corporations continue scaling up AI investments.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And on September 19, the cosmetics mogul made yet another headline-making appearance in a plunging slinky gown at a wedding in the French Riviera with boyfriend Timothée Chalamet.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026
  • And who was the woman behind the plunging 1999 Versace number Lopez wore to the Grammys, celebrated as the dress that launched Google Image Search?
    — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Santiago’s next hearing is scheduled for September 21, the first of what could be a lengthy series of court proceedings as the case moves forward.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In August, hundreds showed up to defend California’s authority to govern its own coast at a Santa Monica hearing of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, and 18,000 more people filed comments online.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • With the strait’s primary transit lanes now cleared of mines, the volume of crude oil, cargo, and liquid natural gas over the past two weeks was the highest in six months, or right after the Iran war began.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Both locations put the Houthis within firing distance of any ships that attempt to traverse the narrow strait.
    — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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