SOUNDING BOARD Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

sounding board

noun

Definition of sounding board

as in expert

a person or group with whom you discuss ideas to see if the ideas are good My friend is my sounding board for new ideas.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

counselee

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 board Subramaniam, the second CEO in the company’s 53-year history, is operating for the first time without his mentor and sounding board. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Dines uses the models constantly — as sounding boards, editors and research engines — while insisting the ideas, the will and the taste must come from him. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 If Julia Roberts inspired you to give denim shorts a go, this pair is a great sounding board. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 In a show that’s giving such a specific snapshot of a world that many people have no contact with, having a character that’s a bit of an audience sounding board is important. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sounding board

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounding board

Noun

China has a tradition of paternalistic government regulations meant to pre-empt potential problems, said Yolanda Ma, an expert on AI governance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
But experts agree that as long as the change is safe and age-appropriate, experimenting with personal style can be a healthy part of identity development.

— Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of expert

Noun

Staff review medical needs, match campers with counselors and arrange meet ups before opening day so that by the time campers arrive, little is left to chance.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
The results are larger class sizes, fewer counselors, deferred maintenance and another round of painful budget cuts.

— Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of counselor

Noun

Every facility, however, should be able to identify EV-specific risks, isolate a vehicle when required, document its condition and route complex work to the appropriate specialist.

— Oleksandr Chumachenko, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Also on the five-man team are Kameron Nelson and pommel horse specialist Patrick Hoopes, with veteran Yul Moldauer the traveling alternate.

— Nancy Armour, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of specialist

Browse Nearby Words

sounding

sounding board

sounding boards

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sounding board.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sounding%20board. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sounding board

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes