sound 1 of 5

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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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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)

as in hearing
range of hearing wandered off, out of her parents' sight and sound

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sound

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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

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adjective

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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
To be honest, the whole setup sounds exhausting. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 She's looked amazing, sounded amazing and this album is absolutely amazing. Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
Then, at night, his wife woke up to the sound of drums. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 Auditory perception is dependent upon the brain’s serotonin levels since the neurotransmitter regulates the processing of sensory information including sound, Jensen told CNN. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025 This is an alarm clock and sound machine in one, with a huge bank of various sounds and meditations, as well as a customizable light show for winding down and waking up. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • Daniel Jones’ success is becoming less of a novelty and more of a logical endpoint in Shane Steichen’s rhythmic system.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • In Doctorow’s reading of 21st century tech, AI is the trend's logical, dangerous endpoint.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore woke up Sunday morning in a hospital room — just hours after his wife, Sidney, had given birth to their third child, a healthy baby girl named Saleh.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Reams of studies have also found that healthy diets are more expensive than unhealthy ones—sometimes as much as doubly so.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Gazan leadership fell into refusals and delays without any coherent strategy.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
  • In 2019, the predecessor to ChatGPT was barely able to string a coherent sentence together; just three years later, fed with more data and computing power, ChatGPT became a world sensation.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
  • What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well.
    Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Summit kept up the strong play as its defense forced and recovered a fumble from Dallas Simmons.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Because we are trained to constantly analyze facts and then take a rational decision based on facts.
    Ayesha Javed, Time, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Reducing disclosures and transparency means choking off the lifeblood, which keeps investors informed and prices rational.
    Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The American Chemistry Council took issue with the report’s findings on low birth weight and liver issues, arguing that the evidence wasn’t as robust as the report claimed.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Although the West has humanoid robotics players such as Boston Dynamics and Tesla, China occupies the industry’s vanguard thanks to its huge market, a mature industrial base of chips, sensors, and batteries, as well as robust state support.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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