sound 1 of 5

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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

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

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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
Music sounds bigger, dialogue sounds clearer, and yes, your TV actually feels more epic. PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025 This all sounds silly; why does anyone feel the need to opine about the postseason in Week 3? Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
There’s nothing like the sound of Dua Lipa in the morning. Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025 Ahead of its time in both sound and perspective, Cripple Crow brought Banhart’s dual Venezuelan-American heritage into sharp focus, serving as an early example of bilingual experimentation. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Curse words flew out of her mouth like closed fists, but no one could hear her because the picket is sound-proof. Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 Both Chrome and Safari are sound choices for your Apple devices. PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • That is logical, but Emmys aren’t always logical.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sometimes, certain decisions feel easier than others, even when both types of choices (intuitive and logical) seem important.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lifestyle habit such as exercise and a healthy diet can help keep inflammation in check.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.
    Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than advocating a one-size-fits-all, outdated approach to leadership, Hinson is helping executives expand their leadership impact by using their own coherent leadership approach, rather than following outdated leadership rules.
    Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The wisest people can narrate their entire life — mistakes included — as a coherent whole.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath the surface, though, all is not well.
    Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The ads for it were…well, pure 1970s.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • So there is no logic or any rational decisions made.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The appellate court had held that the INS could not rely on these immigration sweeps but, rather, needed to articulate objective facts and rational inferences to support a reasonable suspicion that each person detained is undocumented.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, there is a robust market with rising demand for dishwashers worldwide.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In data science, it is applied to develop and implement robust error-correcting codes for data storage and transmission.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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