SOUNDS Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

sounds 1 of 4

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of sound

as in echoes

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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Relevance

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as in seems

to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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as in voices

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) a person who certainly isn't shy about sounding her opinions

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as in announces

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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sounds

2 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of sound

as in plumbs

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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as in plunges

to cast oneself head first into deep water a whale suddenly surfaced and then, just as suddenly, sounded

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surfaces

sounds

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural of sound

as in hearings

range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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sounds

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of sound

as in channels

a narrow body of water between two land masses Long Island Sound is between Connecticut and Long Island, New York

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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 sounds

Verb

That sounds like—so interesting, right? —

Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 There’s also a gleeful sequence where the six members of the virtuosic onstage band swan around in polyester housecoats and peroxide wigs, all representing H’s childhood piano teacher, Doris, a woman who toured with Horowitz and sounds like Foghorn Leghorn with a pack-a-day Virginia Slims habit. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 May 2026 Death penalty states generally allow last statements from the execution chamber, but Texas catalogs the prisoners’ last words online, except for vulgar and racist language or what sounds unintelligible. —

Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026 This sounds like Secretary Mullin has been reevaluating what his predecessor had gone into to more of a stable, sensible approach. —

Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026 That sounds about right for an eighth grader. —

Chris Murphy, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 If this sounds familiar, don’t view your job search as a failure. —

Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 This is the sort of thing that sounds difficult and, in practice, actually seems like a fairly easy ask? —

Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 May 2026 If that sounds pleasing to you as a movie-goer and a Star Wars fan, The Mandalorian and Grogu will satisfy. —

James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026

Noun

Composer Frédéric Alvarez built a score that moves between traditional Nepali sounds and something more fractured and modern, designed to track Pirati’s inner journey from quiet containment to something rawer. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2026 The alluring slice of heaven offers an idyllic escape from the commotion of the big city, trading the sounds of traffic for crashing waves. —

Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 From the sounds of it, RTC will augment that feeling with even more details and specificity. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 White noise, waves, birdsong, and even lullabies—choose your own ambience (there are 30 different sounds) with this noise machine that takes up hardly any space. —

Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026 The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States. —

Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026 But, if having so many options to choose from sounds more intimidating than invigorating, Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection, advises looking to your yard for the best fit. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 The sounds grew louder, and soon armed and masked men were swarming the village, setting its straw huts on fire and indiscriminately shooting villagers. —

Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026 Her screams still haunt the building according to some, which explains the faint sounds of a distressed woman that Pierre kept picking up on his headset earlier. —

David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounds

Verb

This seems to be the world’s most obvious bait and switch, though.

— Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
While front-running Atlanta remains well ahead in the NL East, Philadelphia's early season funk has passed and momentum seems to be building, which Schwarber is far more concerned about than whatever home-run total is next to his name.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 May 2026