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
On the surface, MFN may sound appealing: match U.S. drug prices to those overseas, and patients pay less. —Kerri Toloczko, Sun Sentinel, 28 July 2025 In a market landscape still fixated on fears of stagflation and modest recoveries, Bank of America is sounding a contrarian—and decidedly bullish—note. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 July 2025
Noun
The cooling, noncommittal, lightly distressed sound of Swag is an answer of sorts. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025 After spending approximately 16 hours in a flooded gully, and with help from an audible sound feature on the collar, Ziva was found and rescued by Shannon and Taelyn. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
Both styles have excellent sound quality, call capabilities, and noise cancellation depending on model and settings. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025 Back then, even if the ideas were sound, the battle its proponents faced was for people to believe in it. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 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
  • Big consulting players like Bain & Company use online assessments to evaluate a candidate’s situational awareness, numerical and verbal aptitude, and logical reasoning before a technical interview is even scheduled.
    — Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Cutting ties with him doesn't seem logical at the moment.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • Food security is improving in Southeast Asia and South America, but in Africa, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet has risen from 864 million to 1 billion.
    — Danielle Nierenberg, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • In Dallas, will the return of a (presumably) healthy Dak Prescott mean a bounce-back season for a team that won 12 regular-season games apiece in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before slipping to 7-10 last year?
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.
    — Alex Harris July 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Stitching those impulses into a coherent strategy is the industry’s great challenge.
    — Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • And so the chamber, because of the work on the body and mind, creates that coherent moment.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 July 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
  • Tubi and a planned Fox One are rational entries in streaming.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 28 July 2025
  • His team took a rational approach to update requirements that were the same for a single-family property versus a quad plex that took up the same physical footprint but had much different needs.
    — Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of rational
Adjective
  • But environmental groups are likely to fight any move to remove endangered species protections for wolves without strong evidence that they are no longer threatened, including a larger and more robust population in California.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The key might be robust yet agile governance frameworks that prevent abuse while maintaining innovation incentives.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
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 6 Aug. 2025.

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