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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
That doesn't sound that good on the surface, but the prior six quarters had negative growth. —Stephanie Link, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Despite the rebuke, his voice already sounded mellower—syrupy even. —Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
The sounds of waves and fishing from the shoreline are some of the reasons Zach Fuller visits Duxbury Reef in Bolinas. —Kenny Choi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026 The defining sound has been booing. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
None of these instances reflect sound judgment by the person charged with keeping our country safe. —Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026 Instead, each dolphin develops their vocal signature on their own through vocal learning, the process of modifying sound patterns based on social experiences and interactions. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 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
  • That focus on efficiency included a coldly logical approach to salary-cap management, and an update of the bruising defense that Belichick had pioneered with 49ers old rivals, the 1980s iteration of the New York Giants.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Trump has taken this tradition to its logical extreme by exempting from legal consequences his supporters and those following his instructions—seeming to assert his supremacy over not just federal but state laws, which exceeds even the wide powers conferred by the Constitution.
    — Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • How to make even healthy eating affordable One way to make more expensive items like meat and seafood more affordable is to buy them in bulk.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
  • However, researchers noted that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is used today as a treatment to restore gut flora in the colon, representing a modern application for healthy feces.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Each issue curates essays, interviews, frameworks, and visual explainers that add up to a coherent exploration of a topic that matters.
    — Daphne Koller, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
  • This is where disparate clips, resolutions, and sound sources are unified into a coherent narrative.
    — Paul Ratner, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • Last week, Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at home and all was well with the world.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Oliver says often that the shoot was a really well execution of the script.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of well
Adjective
  • Neighbors are now calling for a stronger police presence beyond the campus itself.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The yen touched its strongest level since October in US trading Tuesday after comments from Japanese officials, including just recently the finance minister, fueled speculation that the government may intervene in the market to prevent the currency from resuming its decline.
    — Mia Glass, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Anyone who has made an impulsive decision in a moment of intense emotion knows that feelings shape our choices just as much as rational thought.
    — Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
  • There was no rational administration.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • Harry Maguire and his father, Alan, are having a robust debate after a Manchester United pre-season game against Everton about which of them was the better player.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • There are lazy ways to do this, and there are more robust ways to do so.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of robust

Phrases Containing sound

Browse Nearby Words

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 4 Feb. 2026.

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