1
as in echoing
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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2
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
the idea at least sounds plausible
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3
as in voicing
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)
a person who certainly isn't shy about sounding her opinions
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4
as in announcing
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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1
as in plumbing
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of sounding
Joseph Wilson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2024
These stories were fantastic—and likely false, for the most part, as were widespread tales of Japanese candy store operators who were really mapmakers, Japanese fishermen who were really taking harbor soundings, and Japanese barbers who picked up military secrets from their unsuspecting clients.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2021
But other negative soundings point to an underlying tension between locals and the Venetian government over what is being done to ensure residents can continue to live there.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
And — as with Negrón’s piece, though happening around us — the background seemed to spring to life around a sunrise of a barely audible soundings from the stage.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sounding 
Noun
If played with the know-how, the sounding of church bells in various sequences, tones, and rhythms can signal the time for rejoicing or mourning and when to run to the aid of a neighbor in need.
—Joseph Wilson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2024
These stories were fantastic—and likely false, for the most part, as were widespread tales of Japanese candy store operators who were really mapmakers, Japanese fishermen who were really taking harbor soundings, and Japanese barbers who picked up military secrets from their unsuspecting clients.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2021
But other negative soundings point to an underlying tension between locals and the Venetian government over what is being done to ensure residents can continue to live there.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
And — as with Negrón’s piece, though happening around us — the background seemed to spring to life around a sunrise of a barely audible soundings from the stage.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sounding
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Cite this Entry
“Sounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sounding. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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