sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of soundnext
1
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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2
as in to seem
to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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3
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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4
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)

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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sound

3 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce sound (audio)
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

1
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
2
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

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3
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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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
Change can sound like a willpower problem. —Dr. Deepika Chopra, Flow Space, 16 June 2026 Some experts sounded a sceptical note about the proposals. —Paul Sandle, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Noun
The film marked the first time that RZA from Wu-Tang Clan scored a film, and the music mixes crime-jazz allure, spaghetti Western drama and hip-hop beats for a truly unique sound. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 Later, Juan-Carlos Chaurand joined FK Menace as part of Sin Tope, blending traditional Latin influences with contemporary sounds. —J.m. Banks june 12, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Adjective
Sacramento County Department of Transportation workers began work this week to remove a nearly 40-year-old fall risk along Sunrise Boulevard in Fair Oaks — a sound wall that officials said had become dangerously unstable. —Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 The twisted tale sees Bacon playing Jack Smith, a schlock horror film director trying to make a final low-budget film, Blood Moon, starring his wife Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick) and daughter Ula (Sosie Bacon), with production assistance from sound man and Muay Thai kickboxer son Trent (Travis Bacon). —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
  1. echo
  2. seem
  3. voice
  4. announce
  5. scale
  6. plunge
  7. hearing
  8. strait
Verb
  • Kim predicted that Japanese live-action productions and Thai content are poised for broader international success, while Zameczkowski echoed the growing global appeal of Japanese IP.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • Slaloming through the gears is a symphony for the senses, especially when the windows are down and the titanium exhaust notes are echoing off the canyon walls.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Definition of echo
Verb
  • Gone seem to be the days of Big, Beautiful Bill-type legislation, at least according to some moderate Republicans.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • That doesn’t mean, though, that a 25,000-resident development will spring up on unincorporated land west of Natomas anytime soon, as the project seems likely to draw an environmental lawsuit.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of seem
Verb
  • Despite the positive impact of programs like Safe Streets, some in the community and city government have voiced criticisms.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Kepner’s parents have voiced their outrage that Hudson is not jailed pending his trial.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Definition of voice
Verb
  • Now, more than three months after he was killed at the start of the US-Israeli war, the date of his burial has been announced.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • The San Francisco 49ers, for whom Smith had a terrific rookie season, issued a statement announcing his passing on Saturday afternoon.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • Shedletsky, as president of Invisible Narratives, will lead business operations and M&A strategy, identifying creator and IP partners, YouTube channels, brands and games with the potential to scale into global franchises.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • Once composed of 50,000 personnel, KFOR has been routinely scaled back over the years as tensions eased, although 1,000 additional troops were deployed in 2023 after fresh violence erupted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Definition of scale
Verb
  • Scene of a fatal crash and fire on Interstate Highway 280 after a vehicle plunged off the 18th Street overpass in San Francisco, June 12, 2026.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • Severe storms and tornadoes that tore through the Midwest on June 11 left one person dead, downed trees and plunged thousands into darkness with power outages.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Definition of plunge
Noun
  • The project had received a continuance from an initial public hearing April 20, at which City Council member Natalie Jangula and others raised concerns about a lack of open space.
    — Noah Daly June 16, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2026
  • Those supporters were left unchallenged by stewards, despite FIFA winning a court hearing enabling them to lawfully prohibit people showing the lion-and-sun flags on the grounds of them carrying a political message and potentially causing disturbances.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of hearing
Noun
  • Trump said that the US military had escorted ships carrying 100 million barrels of oil through the strait, but that is just five days of normal throughput.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 11 June 2026
  • Traffic through the strait, a key waterway for transporting oil, has slowed significantly since the start of the war.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Definition of strait

Phrases Containing sound

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soul-searchings
sound
sound bite
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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sound

Nglish: Translation of sound for Spanish Speakers

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