SOUNDS Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

sounds 1 of 4

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of sound

as in echoes

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 seems

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

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as in voices

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) a person who certainly isn't shy about sounding her opinions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in announces

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sounds

2 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of sound

as in plumbs

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 plunges

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

surfaces

sounds

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural of sound

as in hearings

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

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sounds

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of sound

as in channels

a narrow body of water between two land masses Long Island Sound is between Connecticut and Long Island, New York

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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 sounds

Verb

Offshore nuclear power sounds unusual, but naval submarines and aircraft carriers have run on small nuclear reactors for decades. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 On Wowed Out, James sounds unburdened even when singing about the weight of the modern world. — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026 The oceanfront infinity pool is my personal favorite, but if a book and aimlessly floating for hours on end sounds more appealing, the quiet pool will be just right. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 Thus, a product that may replicate the results of injectable dermal filler without needles or a high price tag sounds pretty darn good. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 Kusama’s talk of self-obliteration sounds vaguely Buddhist or Taoist. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Among many other things, that sounds to me like the makings of a pretty good movie. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026 But at times, the caliber of their technical and harmonic choices sounds arty and sophisticated. — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Deep sleepers will appreciate the gradual wake-up call from a large catalog of alarm sounds, and an alarm volume that reaches decibels capable of reviving a bear from its hibernation. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Cullen also came up with the scary clicking sounds that emerged from the mouth of the monster in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring Predator in 1987. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 In a campaign known as Operation Wandering Soul, US forces played recordings of eerie sounds and voices where combatants were fighting in the jungle. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 But the sounds of Smart — laying into players, coaches, even potential recruits — can be heard for blocks. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 From the late 1990s on, Parton recognized that her hitmaking days were behind her, and frequently returned to songs and sounds associated with the pleasures and hardships of her mountain youth. — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 After that feral beginning, the rest of the album is mostly contemplative, wistful, and understated, amid cascading guitars and various sounds that are at times acoustic or gently swirling. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 The lobby makes a bold first impression with double-height ceilings, pops of pink and green, statement-making couches, and the sounds of Cuban and Spanish music setting the tone. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 The sounds of the frogs that live around it dot my sleep, and the sound of the creek itself is always in the background of my hearing. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 Enjoy vibrant Caribbean sounds and rhythms with electrifying performances. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sounds

Verb

The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Protein seems to be on everyone’s minds (and plates) these days, with many of us getting our fill from fish, beef, chicken, or plant proteins like beans, avocados, tofu, and tempeh.

— Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of seems

Verb

Bauza also voices both of the leads, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, in the last Looney Tunes feature, The Day the Earth Blew Up.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Groff voices Kristoff, the endearing, odd ice miner who emerges as a surprising love interest for Anna in the first film.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of voices

Verb

Gary announces debris removal plans The city of Gary announced Wednesday that it’s partnered with contractors and residents to launch storm recovery and debris removal operations.

— Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Every few weeks, another headline announces that artificial intelligence has matched a doctor, beaten a doctor, or is finally ready to become one.

— Arya Rao, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of announces

Verb

Ophelia’s Got Talent plumbs the depths of the nineteenth-century cult of Ophelia, epitomized in John Everett Millais’s famous painting of her watery death.

— Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
As Latifi plumbs the industry, what stands out is just how manufactured this content is, and how often the children are being manipulated to perform.

— Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026

Definition of plumbs

Noun

The two companies provide staff for detention centers, beds to house them, and ankle monitors to surveil those out on bond awaiting their hearings.

— Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Over five hearings between June 2025 and May 2026, panels dismissed all but two of the citations, the suit said.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hearings

Noun

The rare meeting underscored Washington's willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
As the graphic below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable running in-behind down the channels and sending in crosses, as well as beating his defender and cutting balls back for team-mates.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of channels

Verb

What Hasty built instead compares each coach against the specific opposing talent his players faced, which means a good coach with a bad roster finally looks different from a bad coach with a good one.

— Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The format rewards behavior that looks nothing like traditional ecommerce.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of looks

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sounds. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sounds

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun (1)

noun (2)

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