sounding board

noun

Definition of sounding boardnext
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.

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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 As kids get older, parents can be a sounding board and offer advice on how to navigate the tricky situations that inevitably come up instead of ghosting people. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 Tortorella became a sounding board during the past eight years in Bickel’s coaching quest. — Joe Smith, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Grier stayed in the league thereafter, filling roles on the practice squad and serving as a sounding board for his fellow quarterbacks. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for sounding board
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounding board
  1. expert
  2. adviser
  3. counselor
  4. specialist
Noun
  • The high number is likely boosted by unusually warm water and the presence of an El Niño weather phenomenon with potentially historic rain for California, experts have said.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The page says the funds will be used only for legal expenses, including filings, transcripts, investigators and experts.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of expert
Noun
  • Natascha Hedegaard, an in-house veterinary advisor for JoyFull Pet, said large and giant breeds have a longer juvenile stage than small breed dogs.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Las Vegas tourism officials went to Canada last month to meet with travel advisers, tour operators and airline representatives.
    — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of adviser
Noun
  • Adan Figueroa, a high school counselor at Prosser Career Academy, has spent much of his career helping undocumented and immigrant students navigate the path to college.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Through 50-plus community partnerships the school embeds counselors, mental healthcare and enrichment to keep students in class.
    — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of counselor
Noun
  • Art thieves in Europe are committing more violent robberies and specialist gangs have been replaced by ad hoc ​opportunists recruited through social media, pan-European police body Europol said last month.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to the potential hurricane-force wind gusts, tornadoes are possible near the two islands, and heavy rains are expected throughout the main islands, the hurricane center's specialists warned.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of specialist

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Cite this Entry

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

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