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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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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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
This sounded promising, but industry analysts quickly pointed out that about ninety per cent of Americans get their prescribed medications through insurance plans. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 If a massage or facial sounds more your speed, Gruene Day Spa offers same-day services and packages, including prenatal, hot stone, and sports massages, plus classic and clarifying facials, microdermabrasion, and more. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
As bebop waned and funk and rock music arrived, the 1970s and early ’80s witnessed a shift, not only in sound but also in the way onlookers behaved. —Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 Mornings began with ocean views, the sound of the ocean, and a soy matcha latte on my balcony. —Lisa Greissinger, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Writers say the system hasn’t caught up with the streaming era, where about two-thirds of the revenue goes to the sound recording, not the publishing side where songwriters operate. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 Early experiments with sound recording and photography seemed to undermine the dances’ importance and regularity. —Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
  1. logical
  2. healthy
  3. sturdy
  4. coherent
  5. well
  6. strong
  7. rational
  8. robust
Adjective
  • Those seemingly chaotic kids are on their way to more obviously logical behavior soon.
    — Celeste Kidd, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Things had crumbled enough that Sasaki emerged as a logical option.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • Forest needed competition for Chris Wood, and the 24-year-old fits the bill as a senior Brazil international who has scored at a healthy rate back home.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Scientists found that the latter combo reduced blood sugar spikes in healthy participants.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The lone crack in Yesavage’s sturdy exterior came in the first inning.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • After a shake-up in the leadership of her controversial conservatorship, fans began to grow concerned for the musician who virtually disappeared from public life, but started frequently posting dancing videos to her Instagram, often with wild, semi-coherent captions.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
  • What once held the promise of innovation in the arts—an AI that could generate art, compose music or write coherent, even beautiful, prose—has begun to feel more like saturation.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well.
    — Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, though, all is not well.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of well
Adjective
  • In fact, while vision isn’t their strongest sense, dogs may even be able to see certain aspects of a TV show.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The young right-hander put together a strong season, but few were better after the All-Star break.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Every argument has a rational, emotional, and rhetorical component.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • If the court concludes that conversion therapy is conduct, then the Colorado law is subject to the same standard used in Skrmetti – rational basis – and likely will survive.
    — Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
    — Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Griffin and Secretary of State Cole Jester stressed at Thursday's news conference that incidents of voter fraud are rare and that the state's election laws are some of the most robust in the country.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of robust

Phrases Containing sound

Browse Nearby Words

soul-searchings
sound
sound bite
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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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