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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
As scary as that sounds, Ford says there is already a fix for the issue, which, as some recent recalls have shown, is not always a guarantee. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 July 2026 If that sounds convoluted in prose, try watching it as a Netflix movie that dutifully restates its premise every few minutes for multi-screen viewers. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Noun
That never crossed my mind before, but now in 2026, our reggaeton, our essence and our sound has become important in Mexico and even more so on a Latino level. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Many people’s recollections of the 2010 World Cup will be the official anthem Waka Waka, the incessant sound of the vuvuzela, and of Paul the Octopus correctly predicting match outcomes. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Adjective
Burls are sound, hard, woody swellings or protrusions that form on the trunks, branches, or roots of trees. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 The Hatch Alarm Clock is another popular sunrise alarm that doubles as a sound machine and includes wind-down routines for the evening. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
  1. echo
  2. seem
  3. voice
  4. announce
  5. scale
  6. plunge
  7. hearing
  8. strait
Verb
  • Other protest signs echo the irreverent tone of social media, with memes and pop culture references woven into the demonstrations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Just before the surprise could begin, however, a deafening crack of thunder echoed across the property.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Definition of echo
Verb
  • Even more concerning, the legislature seems to be paying little attention to how to pay for these benefits now or in the future.
    — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026
  • Saunders had been preparing for the Chiefs’ game that week against the Houston Texans and seemed unaware that any game was taking place, let alone a championship match.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of seem
Verb
  • On July 9, star safety Budda Baker voiced his frustration on social media.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Keith David, who voices the titular character, is returning as well.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of voice
Verb
  • In March, dozens of countries around the world announced a release of 400 million barrels of oil into the global market in order to keep a lid on prices.
    — Christine Romans, NBC news, 25 July 2026
  • San Jose recorded 1 million total downtown visits during the six-week FIFA World Cup, officials announced Friday — a final count over 2 ½ times initial projections — driven by energetic watch parties and strong fan culture in the city.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Definition of announce
Verb
  • The data center business alone has scaled something like 13 times since fiscal year 2023, when total company revenue was just $27 billion!
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 22 July 2026
  • In the clip, George takes part in a number of hobbies, including cricket, scaling rocks, and hanging out with one of the family dogs.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026
Definition of scale
Verb
  • Now an agreement with Washington to formalize Riyadh’s goal, however, has sparked concern that the deal, coupled with the messy aftermath of the war between Washington and Tehran, could plunge the region into a new arms race.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Its shares plunged as much as 14% after the markets opened Thursday in New York, the biggest intraday decline since June 2025.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of plunge
Noun
  • Monetized or not, Pfister is continuing to film in public and post videos, at least until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for August 3.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The singer has been in court this week for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026
Definition of hearing
Noun
  • That amounts to roughly a quarter of what flowed through the strait before the war.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The strait is a choke point for commercial ship traffic, as well as oil exports from Saudi Arabia.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Definition of strait

Phrases Containing sound

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soul-searchings
sound
sound bite
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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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