sough

verb

ˈsau̇ How to pronounce sough (audio)
ˈsəf
soughed; soughing; soughs

intransitive verb

: to make a moaning or sighing sound
sough noun

Examples of sough in a Sentence

all night long the patient was soughing in her sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The New York Times reported Trump sough to mediate a separate dispute involving Musk and Bannon that had erupted in the early weeks of his presidency, including by suggesting the two men sit down privately. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025 Although the foundations of rooms remained, like lines of an architectural drawing expressed by pebbles laid end to end, only the chimney still loomed against that hill of dead leaves and leafless trees, while traffic soughed indifferently below. William T. Vollmann, Harper's Magazine, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swoughen, from Old English swōgan; akin to Goth gaswogjan to groan, Lithuanian svagėti to sound

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sough was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sough. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sough

verb
ˈsau̇ How to pronounce sough (audio)
ˈsəf
: to make a moaning or sighing sound
sough noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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