sound 1 of 5

Definition of soundnext
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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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sound

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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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as in hearing
range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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sound

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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
On the international scene these days, our trumpets have sounded slightly sour and uncertain. Robert Stone, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Though there have been calls to increase safety guardrails on large language models, Anthropic’s approach sounds bizarre. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
The film begins with the gentle scratch of a pen drawing, and throughout, Kore-eda remains attuned to the sounds of the world around these girls. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 The cut luxuriates in the pure sound of the songs that make up its collage. Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The real payoff of a sound bath date is a different kind of intimacy. Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 In any case, the rainy and windy weather is a fantastic showcase of the game's visuals and sound FX work. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Verb
  • The symmetry, the sense of exact echoing across a central median, an inescapable reversibility.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This echoed Frederick Winslow Taylor’s idea of scientific management, which sought efficiency through control and standardization of the labor process.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The directions seem no more suspicious than things they’ve been required to do for a decade.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone has suggestions on what to do next, and frankly, Counsell seems ready to listen.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Economists and other political observers are voicing concerns about the potential effects on inflation and the national balance sheet.
    BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This year's narrators include Auliʻi Cravalho and Jodi Benson - who voiced Moana and Ariel, respectively – as well as Jason Kelce, Simu Liu and more.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The companies have not announced a specific project, deployment capacity or commercial timeline.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • When the judges announce Jude as the winner, Bi, Anna, and Joseph don’t look surprised, and each gets a small hopeful comment at the end.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The larger vision is a manufacturing campus that can scale alongside semiconductor demand while bringing production, logistics and supporting operations under one roof.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • As aerospace has scaled back since the end of the Cold War, El Segundo has emerged as a hub for many creative businesses, including toys.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Continue reading … HOLD ON TIGHT — Jet plunges 27,000 feet in 10 minutes as oxygen masks suddenly drop onboard.
    , FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The atmosphere is a near-vacuum, radiation is lethal, and temperatures plunge to soul-crushing lows.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • His team has recently been studying how hearing factors into this, and preliminary findings indicate that the sounds people make while swimming can make a shark more likely to approach from a distance.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Matt Bevin has missed several court dates in the case and did not attend the May 29 hearing in person as required by the judge, appearing via Zoom instead.
    Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The flow of traffic has improved in recent weeks, but as the US and Iran have struggled over control of the strait since last winter, countries around the world have sought alternative energy sources and looked to cut back on energy use.
    Michelle Velez, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Before the war, the strait carried more than 20% of the world’s energy supply as that oil was shipped to ports around the globe.
    Gordon Lubold, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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