as in noise
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
the crowd decibels increased dramatically as the horses neared the finish line
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Recent Examples of decibels
Some devices produce sound levels above 170 decibels – far louder than most gunshots.
—
Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Honda says that altogether, these enhancements reduce interior noise by two or three decibels, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but the result is indeed a serene ride.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
The complaint alleges the decibels measured from Ford Amphitheater range between 60 and 77.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
According to Rictor, the aircraft is designed to operate at noise levels below 65 decibels, although independent testing has not yet been published.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Fort Worth currently has a sound limit in place of 70 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night.
—Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
Carrano, citing state law about noise, said industrial zone are allowed up to 70 decibels and if emanates into residential zone they are allowed up to 51 decibels in the evening.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
The facility’s noise would be capped at 75 decibels, with a 50-foot buffer recommended to limit impacts to the surrounding community.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
However, a notably high level of decibels can be heard while driving on the highway; the road roar is difficult to ignore.
—Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 4 Jan. 2026
Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Honda says that altogether, these enhancements reduce interior noise by two or three decibels, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but the result is indeed a serene ride.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
The complaint alleges the decibels measured from Ford Amphitheater range between 60 and 77.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
According to Rictor, the aircraft is designed to operate at noise levels below 65 decibels, although independent testing has not yet been published.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Fort Worth currently has a sound limit in place of 70 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night.
—Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
Carrano, citing state law about noise, said industrial zone are allowed up to 70 decibels and if emanates into residential zone they are allowed up to 51 decibels in the evening.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
The facility’s noise would be capped at 75 decibels, with a 50-foot buffer recommended to limit impacts to the surrounding community.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
However, a notably high level of decibels can be heard while driving on the highway; the road roar is difficult to ignore.
—Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
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Two hours later, Ukraine’s urgent plight – the defining security crisis of Europe’s post-WW2 era - was passionately portrayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the issue that should have been center stage breaking through the MAGA noise.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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That one sentence explains a lot of the current noise—and where the next upside will come from.—
Martin Moszkowicz,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their presence draws both the news cameras and the film’s frame inside the stadium’s offices and VIP lounges, trading the real game-day footage of fans for a dramatized tour of otherwise unseen backrooms beneath the stands, all as the roar from the crowd increases outside and up above.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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At the press site, a pressure wave of a sonic boom came in with a double punch to the eardrums, followed by the roar of the engines from the pad only 3 miles away and the whistling echo bouncing off the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, making a sound reminiscent of bottle rockets.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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