Synonyms of sound

sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• echo
• resonate
• resound
• reverberate
• ring
• reecho
• roll

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• quiet
• damp
• dampen
• deaden

2

as in to seem

to give the impression of being

the idea at least sounds plausible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seem
• feel
• look
• appear
• act
• make
• come across (as)
• come off (as)
• resemble
• pretend
• imply
• recall
• suggest
• dissemble
• hint
• insinuate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• voice
• express
• give
• state
• look
• air
• announce
• put forth
• say
• write
• expound
• ventilate
• raise
• describe
• vent
• convey
• proclaim
• broadcast
• give air to
• publish
• disseminate
• declare
• enunciate
• circulate
• advertise
• offer
• speak out
• write up
• submit
• speak up
• communicate
• enounce
• sound off
• put over
• put across
• chime in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• restrict
• restrain
• stifle
• censor

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• announce
• publish
• proclaim
• declare
• broadcast
• advertise
• post
• blare
• run with
• trumpet
• promulgate
• enunciate
• flash
• herald
• disclose
• give out
• release
• publicize
• promote
• annunciate
• blaze
• reveal
• beat the drum (for or about)
• bark
• spread
• report
• cry
• show
• knell
• disseminate
• call (off or out)
• placard
• blazon
• ring
• toll
• introduce
• feature
• impart
• bulletin
• inform
• manifest
• puff
• bill
• notify
• communicate
• divulge
• intimate
• hand down
• billboard
• plug
• kithe
• pitch
• blurb
• gazette
• apprise
• advise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• silence
• conceal
• withhold
• suppress
• recall
• revoke
• hush (up)
• retract
• recant

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scale
• plumb
• fathom
• span
• gauge
• remeasure
• replumb

2

as in to plunge

to cast oneself head first into deep water

a whale suddenly surfaced and then, just as suddenly, sounded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plunge
• dive
• pitch
• dip
• immerse
• submerge
• plump
• plunk
• belly flop

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hearing
• distance
• sight
• hail
• earshot
• volume

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strait
• neck
• channel
• roads
• bay
• narrows
• inlet
• gulf
• arm
• stretch
• reach
• roadstead

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• logical
• coherent
• rational
• reasonable
• good
• valid
• sensible
• analytic
• empirical
• consequent
• justifiable
• well-grounded
• well-founded
• cognitive
• sustainable
• defensible
• syllogistic
• a priori
• supportable
• tenable
• maintainable
• a posteriori
• defendable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• unsound
• incoherent
• unreasonable
• irrational
• illogical
• misleading
• invalid
• illegitimate
• specious
• inconsequential
• fallacious
• sophistic
• casuistic
• stupid
• mad
• inconsequent
• unarticulated
• absurd
• unscientific
• insane
• crazy
• nonsensical
• preposterous
• nutty
• loony
• fatuous
• thoughtless
• eristic
• witless
• senseless
• daffy
• cockeyed
• harebrained
• simpleminded
• unconvincing
• half-baked
• weak-minded
• half-witted
• uncompelling

2

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor

the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

Synonyms & Similar Words

• healthy
• well
• robust
• whole
• sturdy
• strong
• fit
• wholesome
• bouncing
• hale
• hearty
• in shape
• thriving
• lively
• good
• tough
• in the pink
• in fine fettle
• able-bodied
• agile
• active
• rugged
• hardy
• well-conditioned
• hard
• iron
• vigorous
• lusty
• ambulatory
• vital
• right
• stalwart
• prospering
• chipper
• all right
• blooming
• flourishing
• clean-cut
• sprightly
• flush
• nondisabled
• uncrippled
• spry
• sprightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsound
• sick
• ill
• diseased
• weak
• feeble
• unhealthy
• unfit
• sickly
• ailing
• unwell
• infirm
• disabled
• decrepit
• weakly
• weakened
• delicate
• fragile
• enfeebled
• sickened
• incapacitated
• debilitated
• frail
• haggard
• bad
• gaunt
• worn-out
• troubled
• undernourished
• run-down
• emaciated
• poorly
• malnourished
• differently abled
• afflicted

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• strong
• stable
• durable
• reliable
• fast
• firm
• bombproof
• stalwart
• solid
• dependable
• cohesive
• tough
• unbreakable
• beefy
• irrefragable
• infrangible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsound
• unstable
• rickety
• weak
• unsteady
• insecure
• infirm
• shaky
• unbalanced
• wobbly
• unsubstantial
• tottering
• tottery

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

Recent Examples of sound

Verb

While deputies were still on scene, the controller sounded a warning that the drone's battery was running low. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Nikki Iyer, a youth leader at the organization and a UC Berkeley student, said the original ban sounded good in theory, but young people could still find ways around it. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

Back to the opening sequence, anyway, in which Lê tunes his film’s rhythms while Ninh fiddles with his own sound equipment. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026

Outpouring of grief The sound of sobbing underlays chanting in dozens of dialects woven together in a single expression of sorrow for Imam Hussein and his companions and family, killed and taken captive in the defining event of Shia Islam. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Public policy should be guided by sound science, and its implementation should be designed to achieve effective, measurable outcomes. — Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

The phenomenon is most reliably seen from the sound side of the Outer Banks during summer months. — Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing sound

• sound off

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