sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of soundnext
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

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2
as in to seem
to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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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

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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

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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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sound

3 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsau̇nd How to pronounce sound (audio)
as in hearing
range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

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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

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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
This is where the idea that nice girls win stops sounding naïve and starts sounding real. —Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026 This may sound a little insensitive, but bear with me. —Rebecca Fearn, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Mohri, known for her installations incorporating sound, fruit, found objects, and kinetic elements, will receive $50,000 in cash and a three-month residency at Atelier Calder in Saché, France. —News Desk, Artforum, 6 Feb. 2026 If the sound of far-flung escapes and close encounters with a humpback whale floats your boat, read on for some of the world’s most unique marine getaways, from French Polynesia to Panama and Mozambique. —Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The day will come when all the information needed to make a sound decision on this additional source of educational funding is released. —Froylan Jimenez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 The gap that is left behind when sound scientific research stops suddenly, has an impact on the specific topic of study, the field, and the entire scientific community. —David Seal, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
  1. logical
  2. healthy
  3. sturdy
  4. coherent
  5. well
  6. strong
  7. rational
  8. robust
Adjective
  • That doesn’t make sense to me as a logical move.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The logical solution, now that most of the desirable free-agent hitters are off the board, is for the Pirates to sign McCutchen to another one-year deal, then make the joint announcement that this season will be his last.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • The hope for a big payout could lead kidnappers to keep the victim healthy.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The crux of this formula is keratin, a protein shown to be vital to healthy and relatively more youthful nails.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Organizers brushed off those rumors, heralding the beds as sturdy and eco-friendly.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The critical question is whether her provider’s workflow can synthesize this data into a coherent health picture.
    — Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Each issue curates essays, interviews, frameworks, and visual explainers that add up to a coherent exploration of a topic that matters.
    — Daphne Koller, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • Last week, Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at home and all was well with the world.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Oliver says often that the shoot was a really well execution of the script.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of well
Adjective
  • Among the recovered materials, dysprosium, ytterbium, and erbium are considered high-value due to strong demand and limited substitutes, while yttrium and gadolinium are widely used in electronics, lighting, and healthcare.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Paris Reuters — French wine and spirits exports fell last year to their lowest volume in at least 25 years as US tariffs and Chinese duties hit sales and a strong euro made some alcohol more expensive, industry group FEVS said on Tuesday, warning of no imminent relief.
    — Reuters 9 hr ago, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Published in eScience, the research’s core innovation lies in the rational integration of photoactivity and electrocatalysis within a single air-electrode architecture.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Quitting seemed not just possible, but rational.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Oakland’s council has swung in a less activist-friendly political direction this past year, awarding robust police surveillance contracts and entertaining more aggressive policies around clearing homeless encampments.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Years of disinvestment, inconsistent arts funding and bureaucratic contracting delays have hollowed out the robust infrastructure that allows these artists to educate fellow New Yorkers.
    — Kimberly Olsen, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of robust

Phrases Containing sound

Browse Nearby Words

soul-searchings
sound
sound bite
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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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