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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
At some point, those explanations begin to sound less like a blueprint and more like a broken record. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Bathed in cold blue light, QOTSA sounded tight for their late-night spot, appeared lean and mean. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
If solid sound, noise cancellation, and long battery life are on your headphones wishlist, listen up! — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026 Once reading time kicked off during a recent meetup, the only sounds from the group were the quiet rustle of pages turning and the conscientious nibbling of snacks and sipping of tea as the cafe continued its bustle. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 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
  • What’s more, dopamine pathways that were traditionally thought to govern pleasure and punishment also seem to be highly involved in prediction.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And there was a photographer who seemed to be taking an endless number of pictures.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Mental health experts have voiced concerns about chatbots’ sycophancy, lack of clinical nuance, and ability to reinforce delusional beliefs.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s discordant message with one of the top concerns voters are voicing ahead of the midterm elections has seemed heightened by his fixation on beautifying Washington and building a large ballroom at the White House.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Army has also not announced an operational deployment date.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Buck and Aikman have been the gold standard for announcing teams during their 25 years together, and breaking them up seems self-destructive.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • However, no one was charged, and the operation was significantly scaled back in 2015.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • At Kingpins Amsterdam last week, industry experts discussed the must-have ingredients for scaling innovation.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • While there was plenty of skin on display — transparent dresses, breasts covered merely by jewelry or a model’s hand, and plunging necklines — the brand is deeply rooted in inclusivity.
    — Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • CoreWeave was the poster child of last week's declines, plunging more than 25%.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Oct. 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
  • Moghadam, speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, said that Iranian officials had conveyed their willingness to reopen the strait during visits to Tehran by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Muni r, provided Washington ended its blockade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the persistent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East oil flows through the vital strait have recovered to near pre‑war levels according to Kpler.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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