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
These centers can cause noise pollution, generating noise levels above 90 decibels.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a comparison chart by Yale, 75 decibels is roughly equivalent to the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
It can be used for up to 6 hours on a single charge and operates at just 40 to 50 decibels.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The microphone detects sound above the legal threshold, typically between 75 and 95 decibels depending on the city.
—Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The loudest sound ever produced is said to be the 1883 eruption of the volcanic island of Krakatoa, which was estimated to be 310 decibels, which ruptured eardrums 40 miles away and could be heard as far as 3,000 miles away.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The two-stroke engine pumps about 90-110 decibels, 30 decibels above safe levels.
—Chris Hildreth, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Popular Science Korea took field measurements that day and found that sound pressure exceeded 100 decibels near the venue, which is roughly the volume of a chainsaw.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a comparison chart by Yale, 75 decibels is roughly equivalent to the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
It can be used for up to 6 hours on a single charge and operates at just 40 to 50 decibels.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The microphone detects sound above the legal threshold, typically between 75 and 95 decibels depending on the city.
—Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
The loudest sound ever produced is said to be the 1883 eruption of the volcanic island of Krakatoa, which was estimated to be 310 decibels, which ruptured eardrums 40 miles away and could be heard as far as 3,000 miles away.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The two-stroke engine pumps about 90-110 decibels, 30 decibels above safe levels.
—Chris Hildreth, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Popular Science Korea took field measurements that day and found that sound pressure exceeded 100 decibels near the venue, which is roughly the volume of a chainsaw.
—Yook Jihun, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
-
August 23 – September 22 Clarity lands where chatter once created noise.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
His photographs of New York redirect our attention by taking the noise out of the city.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two of the biggest roars of the game came at halftime, incidentally.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Inside Son Doong, a subterranean river continues to carve the cave, producing a constant roar that echoes through its chambers.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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