decibels

noun

plural of decibel
as in noise
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound the crowd decibels increased dramatically as the horses neared the finish line

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 decibels Sleep in peace with this tower fan, which is whisper-quiet at 25 decibels. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 At full throttle, interior sound levels sit at just 65 decibels—about the same as a normal conversation. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2026 The study shows that this area would experience noise exceeding 70 decibels; the legal limit is 80 decibels. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 June 2026 One of the artists Olivier interviewed, Xang, rapped at blistering decibels to the delight and confusion of a couple hundred stylish black and brown kids. — Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026 Measurements at the data centers that were the subject of complaints found noise levels were between 40 and 59 decibels on residential property. — Ed Maibach, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 However, moving the microphone just 2 inches (51 mm) away from the center of the sound spot reduced the volume by up to 50 decibels, making the audio nearly inaudible. — New Atlas, 14 June 2026 Alysa Guffey Commission President John Dillon asked if staying at or under 55 decibels is possible for a data center. — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026 Fan noise generally stayed below roughly 55 decibels measured several feet away, remaining dramatically quieter than a conventional gas generator. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decibels
  1. noise
  2. roar
Noun
  • The three most common triggers included fear of strange people, fear of unfamiliar dogs and fear of unfamiliar situations like unexpected noises or objects on the sidewalk.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • For instance, in Berkeley, neighbors used CEQA — citing potential noise impact from partying students — to delay, for years, UC Berkeley’s construction of student dorms on People’s Park.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of noise
Noun
  • Military flyovers added to the atmosphere, with the roar of aircraft overhead loud enough to make seats visibly vibrate.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • But with altitude and the roar of support from their fans, 2026 may become a new marker in their story.
    — Alex Connor, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of roar

Browse Nearby Words

decibel
decibels
decide
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Cite this Entry

“Decibels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decibels. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on decibels

Nglish: Translation of decibels for Spanish Speakers

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