SOUND Synonyms: 326 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sound 1 of 5

verb (1)

Definition of sound

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seem

to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible

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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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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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sound

2 of 5

verb (2)

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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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

surface

sound

3 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsau̇nd

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

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

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor the horse is getting along in years, but still perfectly sound

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Video footage of the dogs at Dingo Doggies Campus shows the pups walking on treadmills, training in the gym and relaxing on beds while booms and fireworks sounds can be heard in the background. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Better seats, clearer screens, larger cupholders and easier communication may sound minor, yet those are the things that become important for everyday riders. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Noun

That gave costume designer Sara Byblow and music supervisor Brienne Rose the perfect canvas on which to play with the style and sound of the era. — Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026 On Saturday, July 4, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department rescued a dog that had fallen into a well after running away scared from the sound of fireworks. — Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Adjective

That regulatory status is what separates the AirPods feature from generic sound amplification apps or headphone EQ tweaks. — Allison Palmer july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 Cynthia Rich, the senior vice president at IVY Realty, which owns Tower 101, said the building was in sound condition. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sound

Verb

When the final whistle blew, applause echoed from both sides.

— Latif Love July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Critics say the test rewards the smallest slice of the problem while ignoring Scope 3, the 80% to 95% of a producer's emissions that come from burning its fuel, and note the criteria echo the oil industry's own lobbying.

— Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of echo

Verb

The Pew report illustrates why homeownership is increasingly the province of older Americans, and why first-time buyers seem like a vanishing breed.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Ronaldo had also seemed to get that first knockout goal just minutes earlier, but he was called offside.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of seem

Verb

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Just minutes after Trump’s decision to nix the signing ceremony, Thune sat for an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner and voiced some displeasure with the president’s decision, given the bipartisan nature of the bill.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

Definition of voice

Verb

Iran also announced the complete closure of airspace over Tehran on Monday.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Famous friends of the bride and groom have been spotted across New York City headed to the couple's big day, reportedly in Madison Square Garden July 3, almost a year after the pop star and Super Bowl champion announced their romantic engagement.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of announce

Verb

The pair is also known for scaling buildings around the world.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of scale

Verb

Riyadh largely paused shipments from its Gulf export terminals of Ras Tanura and Juaymah on March 9 after tanker traffic through Hormuz plunged due to Iranian attacks.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Even as the communist country proposes reforms, the United States continues a pressure campaign, ramping up economic sanctions and maintaining an oil embargo that has plunged much of the island into darkness.

— Rick Jervis, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of plunge

Noun

The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Months of legal jostling leading up to the hearing centered largely on media access.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026

Definition of hearing

Noun

Gas prices have started to come down since the preliminary peace deal was announced, but the latest round of strikes has threatened to slow ship traffic through the strait, which carried 20% of the world's oil before the war.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Sixteen of the 40 vessels transited via the Iranian route through the strait, according to Kpler data shared with CNN.

— Deva Lee, CNN Money, 30 June 2026

Definition of strait

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

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Synonyms of sound

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