sound 1 of 5

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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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
All over Echo, Jin sounds refreshed to be throwing himself back into music, but with the confidence of a star who’d never been away. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025 Topic Studios Director Michael Angelo Covino’s comedy sounds promising, especially with Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson listed in the cast. Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
Noun
Waved to the rhythm of the music to applaud the singer and even to complain about the delay, the sound of the fans (one of the top-selling accessories during Gaga’s visit to Brazil) became a defining feature of her Copacabana show. Billboard Brasil, Billboard, 5 May 2025 At her father’s graveside at kibbutz Nir Oz several weeks ago, Sharone Lifschitz read one of his poems to friends and family attending his headstone-setting ceremony, as the sound of bombs exploded a mile away in Gaza. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Adjective
Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Avian experts, meanwhile, say the reasoning behind the original listing — which was the result of months of work and more than 30,000 public comments — is sound, and these birds are very clearly in trouble. Benji Jones, Vox, 16 May 2025 Beats Studio Pro: on sale for $169.95 (51% off) Original price: $349.99 Beats are high-tech headphones that truly deliver on sound quality. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • As a result, that has been seen as the most logical landing spot all along.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Returning samples of the Martian surface to Earth for study is the logical next step in these efforts.
    Bruce Jakosky, Space.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • This will enable you to see if the organization is financially healthy.
    Maayan Aviv, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Gummed up Emulsifiers can be found in foods marketed as natural or healthy as well as ones that look artificial.
    David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025
  • The paddles are crafted with a sturdy, lightweight design suitable for players just starting and looking to develop their skills.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Any possible legislation is seemingly ages away, as if Congress ever does a coherent job of policing big tech in the first place.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • The way the series blended all these disparate elements into something not just coherent but transcendent was a stunning achievement.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 May 2025
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
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
Adjective
  • What’s more, behavioral economics suggests that our deviations from rational, deliberate behavior has some predictable structure.
    Jens Ludwig, Time, 15 May 2025
  • The ban on water fluoridation by the Florida Legislature (SB 700) and the outspoken views of the state surgeon general are the antithesis of rational public health measures.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • There were decreases in cities with robust service organizations and some that have leaned more heavily on police.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • However, the state’s schools have also made their behavioral threat assessment teams more robust in recent years.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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