sounding board

noun

Definition of sounding boardnext
as in expert
a person or group with whom you discuss ideas to see if the ideas are good My friend is my sounding board for new ideas.

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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 sounding board Dines uses the models constantly — as sounding boards, editors and research engines — while insisting the ideas, the will and the taste must come from him. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Much like Inouye-Perez, Fernandez’s best attribute is her ability to be a sounding board for Grant. — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 In a show that’s giving such a specific snapshot of a world that many people have no contact with, having a character that’s a bit of an audience sounding board is important. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 June 2026 Schmidt said that the two have bonded plenty since their respective surgeries, using one another as a sounding board and a source of moral support throughout the darker days of their grueling rehabs. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sounding board
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounding board
  1. expert
  2. adviser
  3. counselor
  4. specialist
Noun
  • But this should be guided and individualized by the right expert in terms of counseling and determining both the risks and benefits of sports based on the cardiac diagnosis and type of sport engaged in by the athlete.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Sandy Baum, an expert in education finance with the Urban Institute, said the new loan limits are unreasonably low, but uncapped borrowing was a real problem and some restrictions are necessary.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of expert
Noun
  • In early 2025, Madden moved her account to Grove Bank & Trust in Miami and soon learned from the bank that her former Northern Trust investment adviser — Walters — had been using her money to pay off his large credit card debts.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
  • Goldman's momentum has continued into the third quarter, with the bank serving as the lead advisor for Solstice Advanced Materials in the company's bid for Element Solutions .
    — Jeff Marks,Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of adviser
Noun
  • Medina, then just 18, was booked into county jail and placed in a special observation unit after threatening to kill himself, banging his head and urinating in front of his counselor.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • In the coming weeks, Mason and co-counselors Matt Smid and Mark Daniel will come together to sort out what could’ve gone better with their defense strategy during this trial, Mason said.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
Definition of counselor
Noun
  • Laparoscopic excision surgery, in which a specialist carefully removes endometriosis lesions, is widely considered the gold-standard surgical treatment and can improve both pain and fertility outcomes.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of specialist

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Cite this Entry

“Sounding board.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sounding%20board. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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