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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
Scary allegations are not the whole story If voters listened to Trump’s speech without the benefits of fact-checkers or even Google, things sound really, really scary. Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026 Ren also served as cinematographer, with editing by Shi, original music by Luna Pan, and sound post-production by Music and Effects. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
Noun
Clark suggested Cannon re-edit and overdub the recording with the stronger bass drums that would become Cannon’s trademark sound and nickname inspiration. Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026 The three men have been football fans for years, and spoke with me about what goes into making the World Cup sound different than any other sporting event on earth. Jack Cosbie, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2026
Adjective
Changing the La Verne Noyes endowments’ mission is legally impossible since it can still be carried out – there are still plenty of students qualifying for them – and the endowments are financially sound. Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 Officials closed off a stretch of Markham that evening in order to determine whether the bridge was still structurally sound. Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • Easterseals Southern California Chief Advancement Officer Nancy Weintraub echoed that sentiment, pointing to the cultural momentum building around the relaunch.
    Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Another subcontractor involved in the project echoed Sciame’s assessment, telling Curbed that most large-scale construction projects involve a rush toward completion.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Some celebrity wines seem more focused on lining investors’ pockets than impressing palates.
    Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • There are historical examples of teams that seemed dead in the water only to catch fire and make the playoffs.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Auliʻi Cravalho, the original voice of Moana and an executive producer for the live-action adaptation, voiced the character in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for Moana 2.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • It was rejected, an outcome rendered moot when Norway failed to qualify, but delegates passed a separate motion requiring the federation’s president to voice their collective criticism at the next FIFA Congress in Qatar.
    Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The final plan, announced Thursday, includes early voting sites at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, Afton Ridge Library, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Kannapolis campus, and Cabarrus County EMS Headquarters.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • As of Friday evening, FIFA has not announced any closing news conference where media will be afforded opportunities to ask Infantino questions.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • This outbreak comes just one year after the CDC scaled back monitoring of cyclospora.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • As the Gulf scales its AI capabilities, advanced manufacturing facilities, and hyperscale data centre infrastructure, battery energy storage is emerging as a critical enabler of reliable, flexible, and resilient power systems.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • Atlantia was the controlling shareholder in motorway operator Autostrade per l’Italia at the time of the disaster which killed 43 ​people when their vehicles plunged from the flyover.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • The satellites would only survive about 20 minutes before ultimately plunging to their fiery doom reentering Earth’s atmosphere.
    Lee Billings & Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Anderson’s neighbors, Matt and Laurel Nelson, needed to meet that threshold to move the case to a formal hearing on their complaint against the county manager.
    Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Adult-use marijuana is still Schedule I, but the Drug Enforcement Administration just concluded hearings about its potential rescheduling and a decision is expected soon.
    Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Transits through the strait had risen after the lifting of the previous US blockade and the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The new project would allow containers to enter and leave the country without having to pass through the strait, before moving them on trucks overland to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and neighboring Gulf countries.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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