SOUND Synonyms: 326 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of sound

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seem

to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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as in to voice

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) a person who certainly isn't shy about sounding her opinions

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as in to announce

to make known openly or publicly the grand opening of the region's newest and largest mall has been loudly sounded for months

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sound

2 of 5

verb (2)

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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surface

sound

3 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsau̇nd

as in hearing

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

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sound

4 of 5

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

5 of 5

adjective

as in logical

according to the rules of logic sound reasoning alone should tell you that the result is invalid

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

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as in sturdy

marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion the shed looks flimsy, but it's actually surprisingly sound

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bottom line is both coaches sound as if being chosen by the Big 12 to play this game in Great Britain is quite an honor no matter the result on the field Saturday. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Both food banks have sounded the alarm about cuts to federal funding. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

Researchers at the Stanford University in the US have achieved a global first by measuring a quantum jump in sound in real time. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026 In it, the sound of the engine’s motor winds down and a horn blares, possibly warning the pilot that the main rotor speed had dropped too low or the helicopter had lost hydraulics. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 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

Definition of echo

Verb

Hailey seems like one of those women who eats one meal of Taco Bell a day and hasn’t exercised since Friends was on the air.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
But with a dwindling calendar ahead of the November election, any fast movement on legislation seems unlikely.

— STEVEN SLOAN, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of seem

Verb

Some analysts voiced skepticism about the risk of a societal-scale attack carried out by AI, however, noting that such warnings typically come in the form of vague hypotheticals.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Courts have also voiced support for states’ rights on certain topics related to the PCSA, such as public education and student health matters.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of voice

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

Definition of announce

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

Definition of scale

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

Definition of plunge

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

Definition of hearing

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

Definition of strait

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“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sound

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