1
as in speaking out
to voice one's opinions freely with force
she never missed a chance to sound off about the latest "stupid" political decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shouting
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
the guard captain commanded each sentry to sound off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sounding off
Select Board members are sounding off on the lack of information.
—
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
In what's become an annual rite in Rhode Island, consumers are once again sounding off about the state's high winter utility costs.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
There were clearly plenty of struggles, leading to the Buccaneers' signal caller sounding off on the issues.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
For the writers pictured here, engaging with culture isn’t a hobby or a sideline or a way of sounding off.
—Richard Renaldi, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Local police chiefs are sounding off after viral footage of a brutal Cincinnati assault shined new light on what local leaders are saying is a consistent failure regarding violent offenders being released onto the city’s streets.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
In what's become an annual rite in Rhode Island, consumers are once again sounding off about the state's high winter utility costs.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
There were clearly plenty of struggles, leading to the Buccaneers' signal caller sounding off on the issues.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
For the writers pictured here, engaging with culture isn’t a hobby or a sideline or a way of sounding off.
—Richard Renaldi, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Local police chiefs are sounding off after viral footage of a brutal Cincinnati assault shined new light on what local leaders are saying is a consistent failure regarding violent offenders being released onto the city’s streets.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounding off
Verb
-
Shia LaBeouf is speaking out after being arrested in New Orleans over an alleged altercation amid Mardi Gras celebrations in the city.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson also visits South Africa speaking out against apartheid.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesotans wrapped scarves around their faces to block the tear gas and cold, shouting and whistling at ICE agents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Lyman recalled a massive weekend in Long Beach with 80,000 attendees that resulted in only one arrest—a drunk fan who took Ice-T’s lyrics too literally and started shouting at the police.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And given all the ambient discouragement against speaking up about this particular cause, solidarity isn’t just a buzzword.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Across Caracas, outside the Helicoide—one of Venezuela's most notorious prisons—relatives of political prisoners are also speaking up.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The details Christine Smith, who's employed at the auto repair shop Pasadena Bimmer next door, was working the front desk when the man came running inside, yelling for help.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Dash camera video from Newton’s police cruiser doesn’t capture the shooting, but Newton can be heard yelling commands for Sanders to stop and show his hands.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two sat in silence before Carter began crying.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
13 Feb. 2026
-
When the winning score was announced Cizeron hugged his coach and covered his face while crying.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Edelman’s annual barometer has polarized commentators, with skeptics arguing that a corporate PR advisor has an interest in talking up the levels of trust in business.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, agents will be talking up their clients and spurious links made with all manner of players.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Such arrests have been happening for weeks following the government crackdown last month that crushed the protests calling for the end of the country's theocratic rule.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats are calling for judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks, requiring the use of body cameras and new laws for use-of-force standards.—
Justin Gomez,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Younger Republican voters and GOP contrarians are piping up to challenge the broad consensus in the Republican Party that has been in lockstep with policy on Israel.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sounding off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sounding%20off. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
