sound 1 of 5

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
Altogether, the Democrats sounded moderate, sober and even friendly. — Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Later, the recordings can be used to create more realistic-sounding speech from a BCI like Ann’s. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
Thankfully safe and sound after an October tour bus fire, Muna are bouncing back with a deluxe edition of their May album Dancing on the Wall. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026 Its facilities include 12 sound stages totaling 250,000 square feet across 25 acres, as well as backlots, existing sets and 100,000 square feet of supporting spaces used as production offices, costume shops and workshops. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
Studies have found that memories anchored by scents tend to be more emotional and vivid than those associated with sight, sound and even taste. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2026 Twenty years ago, the tests for Bond included full hair and makeup and a full camera and sound crew on a set. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • Legal experts have echoed those concerns, noting that relying on the NVRA’s general preamble language to halt state election certification lacks precedent.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Officials in Los Angeles County, who are named as defendants in the federal lawsuit, have echoed Connelly's concerns about the federal government's data.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • At the start of this election cycle, the notion that Democrats would seriously compete in such deep-red bastions as Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas would have seemed absurd.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But 70 years after its heyday, mento’s place in Caribbean popular music has now become marginal, as the global prominence of styles that came after mento has tended to make the earlier genre seem like merely a prelude.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Barrera, Shaw and Tony Thurmond, outgoing state schools chief, voiced opposition to the plan that is now final.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Yeon introduced it with star Koo Kyo-hwan, producer Yang Yoomin and Nao and Kaji Yuki, who voice the film’s Japanese dub.
    — Mark Schilling, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led a radical overhaul of the department's Civil Rights Division, also announced her departure.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The company announced that limited production is scheduled to begin in 2027.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The center brings together companies, universities and research institutions to develop algorithms and applications that can scale with advances in quantum hardware.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The fragmented nature of Southeast Asian markets can also make scaling its music industry tough.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Video recorded by people inside their cars captured the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky, before striking near the roadway and exploding.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Oil prices, sent rocketing by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz energy corridor, plunged by more than 7% on Monday on optimism over a possible end to the eight-month-old conflict.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Taiya Herndon is scheduled to appear for a hearing over the amount of her bail, set at $500,000 to be paid in full, on Thursday.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In a September hearing, Judge Davis VanderVelde sentenced Kirkman to 35 years to life for both murders, with the sentences running concurrently.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Iran has repeatedly warned vessels against passing through the strait without Tehran's permission.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Some are risking the perilous trip through the Bab-al-Mandeb strait.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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