sound 1 of 5

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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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sound

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noun (1)

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
As election strategies go, third time lucky might sound a bit glib. Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025 Harry's uncompromising, one sided view of notions like truth, lies and accountability may sound warning sirens about whether reconciliation is possible in the long-term. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
When someone speaks, sings, or makes a sound, the system transforms the voices into a dinosaur-like sound. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025 The sound of a single gunshot could be heard in the video moments later. Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Curse words flew out of her mouth like closed fists, but no one could hear her because the picket is sound-proof. Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 Both Chrome and Safari are sound choices for your Apple devices. PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • That is logical, but Emmys aren’t always logical.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes, certain decisions feel easier than others, even when both types of choices (intuitive and logical) seem important.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The final mix includes botanicals, minerals, and vitamins such as holy basil for stress response, curcumin to promote a healthy immune response, konjac root to address oil production, and probiotics to optimize the microbiome.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Wizards have emphasized growth and long-term planning under a new front office regime, but keeping key players healthy has been a challenge.
    Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fall sowing encourages sturdy plants and earlier blooms, which can be quite beneficial in hot Southern climes.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Admittedly, these toys tried to handle all the combination aspects between Might Gaine and Might Kaiser, but the Amakuni Kizin range eschews this in favor of producing a more coherent figure.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • But the need for coherent choices in an environment with clear benefits and dangers on both sides would be hard enough if the White House kept its prudent and traditional silence.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath the surface, though, all is not well.
    Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The ads for it were…well, pure 1970s.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even investors who pride themselves on rational decisions know that fear, excitement or uncertainty can often enter the picture.
    Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Even in situations where logic seems to provide you a clear answer, what seems rational may not always feel right or make sense for you personally.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, there is a robust market with rising demand for dishwashers worldwide.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In data science, it is applied to develop and implement robust error-correcting codes for data storage and transmission.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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