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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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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
For their part, Chinese leaders have also sounded the alarm about AI, warning of the risks posed by foreign entities with advanced capabilities. — Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026 Brian VanDoeselaar received a call to confirm the instructions, and the voice on the phone sounded just like their loan officer. — Emily Elconin For Cnn, CNN Money, 15 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
The real payoff of a sound bath date is a different kind of intimacy. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 In any case, the rainy and windy weather is a fantastic showcase of the game's visuals and sound FX work. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 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
  • The symmetry, the sense of exact echoing across a central median, an inescapable reversibility.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This echoed Frederick Winslow Taylor’s idea of scientific management, which sought efficiency through control and standardization of the labor process.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 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 companies have not announced a specific project, deployment capacity or commercial timeline.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • When the judges announce Jude as the winner, Bi, Anna, and Joseph don’t look surprised, and each gets a small hopeful comment at the end.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • The larger vision is a manufacturing campus that can scale alongside semiconductor demand while bringing production, logistics and supporting operations under one roof.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • As aerospace has scaled back since the end of the Cold War, El Segundo has emerged as a hub for many creative businesses, including toys.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of scale
Verb
  • They’ve been assembled for a brain-breaker of a misfired melodrama, at first darkly amusing, before plunging headlong into soap opera-style twists and a general sense of heavy depression that no one can shake.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But Democratic Speaker Willie Brown had a Republican supporter, Paul Horcher, who voted to retain Brown as speaker, plunging the two parties into a yearlong fight for control.
    — Dan Morain, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of plunge
Noun
  • His team has recently been studying how hearing factors into this, and preliminary findings indicate that the sounds people make while swimming can make a shark more likely to approach from a distance.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Matt Bevin has missed several court dates in the case and did not attend the May 29 hearing in person as required by the judge, appearing via Zoom instead.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hearing
Noun
  • The flow of traffic has improved in recent weeks, but as the US and Iran have struggled over control of the strait since last winter, countries around the world have sought alternative energy sources and looked to cut back on energy use.
    — Michelle Velez, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Before the war, the strait carried more than 20% of the world’s energy supply as that oil was shipped to ports around the globe.
    — Gordon Lubold, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of strait

Phrases Containing sound

Browse Nearby Words

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 Sep. 2026.

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