SOUND Synonyms: 326 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of sound

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seem

to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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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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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)

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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surface

sound

3 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsau̇nd

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

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

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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, Jefferies analyst Steven DeSanctis sounded more sanguine about the forward trajectory for the group in relation to the recent surge. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 10 July 2026 Sirens have sounded repeatedly in Bahrain overnight and into the morning after Iran launched a wave of fresh attacks on the Gulf. — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Noun

The blood orange and yuzu sound lovely in theory, but the vanilla tilts it into dessert territory — way too sweet and rich. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 The sound of the finished toast popping up also filled a key audio role. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

Adjective

Lotte is now said to be planning upgrades to its own business instead, refitting its theaters with recliner seating, upgraded projection and sound-specialized auditoriums, while also expanding its content business. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 That regulatory status is what separates the AirPods feature from generic sound amplification apps or headphone EQ tweaks. — Allison Palmer july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound

Verb

When the final whistle blew, applause echoed from both sides.

— Latif Love July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Critics say the test rewards the smallest slice of the problem while ignoring Scope 3, the 80% to 95% of a producer's emissions that come from burning its fuel, and note the criteria echo the oil industry's own lobbying.

— Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of echo

Verb

Like couture clients, affluent jewelry consumers seem to be resilient to economic uncertainty.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Instead of lamenting that starting pitcher Reid Detmers had a bad game and the offense did nothing, which seemed to be the story for the first six innings, the Angels came to life with five runs in the seventh.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

Definition of seem

Verb

Zann eventually got a call from casting director Meredith Layne and a screenplay with lines that were instantly familiar from her time voicing Rogue, the spunky heroine whose touch can be deadly, in the ‘90s.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Some experts have voiced concerns the administration did not allocate enough time to complete all security renovations, given the administration plans to donate the plane to Trump’s library foundation in 2029.

— Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of voice

Verb

Like whether aliens will be announced by the US government, whether a coup attempt will take place in Russia — even whether the earth is flat.

— Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Samsung Confirms Launch Date Of New Galaxy Foldables Samsung has announced its latest Galaxy Unpacked event.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of announce

Verb

To summarize, physical AI governance is an extension of operational and safety governance, and the boards best positioned are ones that import high-reliability-organization oversight practices rather than scaling up their AI ethics frameworks.

— Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Skeptics doubt the model scales to studio budgets, and some top creators are rejecting Hollywood deals entirely, choosing to release original work directly on YouTube.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of scale

Verb

Though brief, Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged South Korea into a political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy while rattling financial markets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
By June, China’s imports plunged below 7 million barrels daily, effectively lowering global oil demand by almost 5 million barrels per day.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Definition of plunge

Noun

The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Months of legal jostling leading up to the hearing centered largely on media access.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of hearing

Noun

Iran and the United States agreed as part of the interim deal to allow ships to pass through the strait without paying charges for 60 days.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong both reaffirmed their commitment to the unimpeded passage of vessels through the strait shortly after a meeting in Indonesia's capital on Monday.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026

Definition of strait

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

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