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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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)

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

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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
Many of the stories sounded similar to his group’s own experience — trips won through raffles, followed by disorganized communication. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025 For months, leaders from Ford CEO Jim Farley to the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have sounded the alarm that AI could wipe out entry-level jobs. Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Despite their small stature, dachshunds are quick to alert their owners to unfamiliar sounds or visitors, often barking persistently to signal potential intruders. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 Between the sounds, the smells and the watchable crowd, the neighborhood was happening. Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The musician, whose legal name is Cameron Giles, is asking a judge to issue a court order that declares him a co-author of the sound recording. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025 Four Seasons Hotels has a longevity clinic in its Singapore location, while its Costa Rica location has a Wellness Shalah through sound healing. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • Scientists researched the phenomenon for decades without finding a logical explanation.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Coming into the game, the Aggies were the logical pick to win.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Air frying is healthier, faster, and doesn't splatter grease all over your kitchen.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Even when participants’ average blood pressure seemed healthy, those with the most erratic readings — combined with stiffer arteries — showed telltale signs of brain aging, the study found.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The shearling is still fluffy, and the soles are sturdy.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Lizzo’s understanding of a litany of online phrases is coherent enough, albeit overwhelming to hear all in succession.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • When your nervous system is coherent, time slows down.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Its jet-drive propulsion system, when deployed, creates thrust by accelerating well fluids via an impeller unit, which moves the probe through the wellbore.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Across the country—and especially in the South—plans are well in the works for Thanksgiving meals that will both satisfy and delight guests.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Smith said Thursday in a news release that Stubblefield leaves behind a legacy of strong, principled leadership.
    Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Eggers' stunning visuals and meticulous pace draw viewers into their increasingly desperate mania, gradually wedging open the door between rational interpretation and supernatural inescapability.
    Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The results showed that the chimps’ decisions aligned with rational patterns of belief revision.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Red Seat Ventures, which acts as Tubi Media Group’s in-house creator services company, has a robust business around true crime, with podcasts from Chris Hansen (of To Catch a Predator fame) and Nancy Grace among its clients.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Concerns have also been raised about the safety and responsibility of keeping parks open without having a robust number of employees available to conduct critical services.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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