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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The final winner of the vote was a name that was an inside joke, but that didn’t sound edible. —Sam Corbin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Though that all sounds grim, once again the team plans to deliver a surprise: more optimism. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Hopefully, this is only the start of a scene-renaissance that brings the sound to new heights. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2025 Four days later, Todd used that fan’s sound to share a TikTok post of him in the recording studio. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
His work encompasses video, sculpture, textile, photography and other sound/performative installations that address the complexity of the Afro-Swedish experience. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025 The shot of pain that comes every time a war-wound memory materializes in a familiar place, sound, vibration. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Apr. 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
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    — Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • LaMelo Ball, on a max contract through the 2028-29 season, is undoubtedly one of the game’s most creative players but also hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Viktor Arvidsson’s spike has been more pronounced since mid-March, and reflects a player who finally appears healthy.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • It’s entirely made of cotton that has been coated with polyvinyl to create a sturdy material with the look of pebbled leather, which is as water-resistant and stain-repellent as hide.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Right now, though, a coherent A.I. policy seems well-nigh inconceivable.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And unlike misspellings or other mistakes, large swaths of coherent text don’t give the reader clues that the transcriptions could be inaccurate, potentially leading users to use them in high-stakes scenarios without ever finding their failures.
    — Asmelash Teka Hadgu, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    — Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Definition of well
Adjective
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    — National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    — Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Rajula Srivastava, for contributions in harmonic analysis and analytic number theory, including contributions to the problem of counting rational points near smooth manifolds.
    — Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The individual leader faces a prisoner's dilemma where the rational choice for personal advancement conflicts with the collective interest.
    — Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Now, compared to recent offseasons, the group appears far less robust.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Developing robust risk management strategies is not about paranoia but preparedness.
    — Jim Stevenson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of robust

Phrases Containing sound

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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 24 Apr. 2025.

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