sound 1 of 5

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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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
Oundjian says the work sounds easy to play but is actually quite difficult to pull off. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 22 June 2025 Or, in Scott’s case, trying to look and sound as much like Ethan Hawke as possible. Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2025
Noun
The franchise has learned from its original U.K. predecessor, which used bold, indie-pop-forward covers and original music to change the sound of reality TV. Clarissa Brooks, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025 The 20-track opus is inspired by the sounds and stories of Latin music icons who shaped her passion for artistry. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 20 June 2025
Adjective
This advice is irrefutably sound, but only up to a point. Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025 Desmarais, 35, who grew up in the business, had a successful career as a sound engineer and returned to Mystic in 2017, joining the family business. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound
Adjective
  • Greater Robustness And Reliability: Better equipped to handle out-of-distribution data and novel scenarios safely and reliably by incorporating safety parameters, constraints and logical invariants.
    Anuradha Weeraman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Taking this approach minimizes the frustration of figuring out where to store something and ensures everything has a logical place in your home.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Implementing healthy habits slowly works better than making big, sweeping changes all at once.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 26 June 2025
  • Though online diets are often filled with rigid rules and exclusions, the healthiest way to eat takes into account your mental and emotional health as well, experts previously told USA TODAY.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Gritti’s dock-manager to Grazer’s left, foreground right in the shot, may be suspicious that his sturdy right elbow, offered for support during that parlous little leap from land to sea, is being roundly ignored.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Just this week, the alliance released its first ever Commercial Space Strategy, stressing three goals – leveraging commercial solutions, ensuring continuous access during peace, crisis or conflict and bolstering coherent relationships with the commercial sector.
    Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • This keeps every post, pitch and DM coherent, letting a solo founder ship consistently instead of chasing shiny tactics every other week.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
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
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
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump’s court challenge failed during his first term because his administration did not provide the U.S. Supreme Court with a rational government basis for terminating the program.
    Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • Confined to her bed, Isla is given to violent fits and delusional behavior, slipping in and out of rational consciousness.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Desktop Specialist is a fast entry point; the Data Analyst certification builds on it with more robust tools for visual analytics.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The mobile app is far more robust for video than the desktop web browser version.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sound. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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