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
The official answer is about 45 to 55 decibels.
—
Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
For context, a garbage disposal or blender clocks in at around 80 decibels.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Both buildings approached 108 decibels at one point.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 3 May 2026
If the project is approved, sound levels are expected to be at about 50 decibels.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The Hearing Health Foundation warned that sounds that exceed 70 decibels can damage hearing without protection.
—Hali Smith
april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
Noises louder than 85 decibels are considered harmful to humans.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
The buzz surrounding Tustin’s boys tennis team raised a few decibels with the seeding for the Ojai tournament this week.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
For context, a garbage disposal or blender clocks in at around 80 decibels.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Both buildings approached 108 decibels at one point.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 3 May 2026
If the project is approved, sound levels are expected to be at about 50 decibels.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
The Hearing Health Foundation warned that sounds that exceed 70 decibels can damage hearing without protection.
—Hali Smith
april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
Noises louder than 85 decibels are considered harmful to humans.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
The buzz surrounding Tustin’s boys tennis team raised a few decibels with the seeding for the Ojai tournament this week.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
Noun
-
Thousands of fans were outside the Bell Centre watching the game, and the 20,962 fans filled the arena with ear-splitting noise before puck drop.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Write it down, step back from noise, and let the truth settle.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Schwarber walked, and Harper followed with his 11th homer of the season, a monster shot that made the significant chunk of the PNC Park crowd who made the five-hour drive across the state roar with approval.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Lee slid in safely with a head-first slide to tie the game at two apiece, letting out a cathartic roar towards his dugout from his knees.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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