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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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
However dated that now sounds, the pair were photographed time and again in all their stylish glory, and more often than not, smiling or laughing — with that indescribable, and sometimes mischievous, verve. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025 Such predictions may sound familiar to those who followed autonomous vehicles. —Jeff Mahler, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
People with migraine headaches may experience nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. —Janelle McSwiggin, Msn, Health, 17 Mar. 2025 But Cassidy knows that, at the first sound of reproach, at the first demand, Brianna will flee. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The sound quality is fantastic with rich bass, crisp highs, and stereo audio. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025 Cognitive scientists see critical thinking as a specific kind of reasoning that involves problem-solving and making sound judgments. —Lightning Jay, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 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
  • The problem — and hardly an insignificant one — is that however funny comedian Jillian Bell’s directorial debut can be in the moment, none of it makes the slightest logical sense.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Such a partnership could be seen as a logical next step to the role Noah Horowitz played during his sojourn at the auction house.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • Leaving your clippings on your lawn leads to healthy, green grass.
    — BestReviews, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The Pacers have expectations, and Haliburton has been healthier.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • This romantic number takes design direction from a field of blooming cornflowers and is a pitch-perfect match for ballet flats, a treasured pair of kitten heels, or even sturdy and dependable white sneakers — looking flawless in each and every context.
    — Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Parker Hall The Best Workout Headphones for Moving Around Constantly Rock your inner jock with a pair of sturdy, sweatproof, and tangle-proof headphones.
    — Brad Bourque, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The failure of Democrats to coalesce behind a coherent strategy against Trump's blizzard of controversial policies was on display during his address to a Joint Session of Congress last week.
    — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Bo Hines, Executive Director of the Presidential Working Group on Digital Assets, will facilitate dialogue aimed at developing coherent policy strategies and actionable recommendations.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    — Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Definition of well
Adjective
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    — National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    — Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Even when the accusations are unfounded, even when the risks are small, the mere possibility of being a sucker can be psychologically potent enough to undermine a rational preference for cooperation.
    — Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This all points to a more rational, less economically harmful climate policy, but, as always, there’s going to be litigation.
    — The Editors, National Review, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • In the forties, when the Red Scare began in earnest, a robust federal workforce was still a new proposition, and not one that everyone in Washington was willing to concede.
    — Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • As conflict between the Colonies and Great Britain grew increasingly likely, Rind steered the press toward more active engagement with political issues, offering a robust defense of the Colonies, says Karen A. Weyler, author of Empowering Words: Outsiders and Authorship in Early America.
    — Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of robust

Phrases Containing sound

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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