soundness

American  

[sound-nis] / ˈsaʊnd nɪs /

noun

1. freedom from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; health or good condition.

   Homebuyers should engage a professional home inspector to check the property's safety and soundness.

2. the fact or quality of being financially strong, secure, or reliable.

   Over the next few months, more reports began to surface that put the soundness of his investments into question.

3. the fact or quality of being well-informed or well-founded, sensible, valid, etc..

   My criticisms were about soundness of judgment, not about his intelligence or integrity.

4. (of sleep) the fact or quality of being uninterrupted and deep.

   Caffeine altered participants’ estimates of the time it took to fall asleep as well as the soundness of sleep.

5. freedom from moral weakness or defect.

   Integrity is soundness of character—being honest and reliable, and true to yourself in matters of conscience.

6. freedom from theological error.

   Persons are received into the assembly based on adequate testimony to their conversion, soundness of doctrine, and holiness of life.

7. the fact or quality of being vigorous, thorough, or severe.

   The 21–10 score does not accurately measure the soundness of the beating Ohio State administered to the Spartans.

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Etymology

Origin of soundness

sound ² ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

That model has supported the safety and soundness of the mortgage ecosystem through multiple economic cycles and continues to perform well, shown by independent research by the American Enterprise Institute and Urban Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

“But it could be a reminder of the soundness of Netflix’s fundamentals and the organic levers the company has going into what should be a banner year for connected television,” he added.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

An appraiser approved by the federal government must conduct an appraisal to assess the property’s market value and make a minor inspection for safety and soundness before the agency can approve the loan.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

I can’t fault the strategic soundness of Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s decision to intentionally walk the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani four consecutive times during Game 3 of the World Series.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

“Our duty, and Isabel’s particular care, is to restore you to soundness of body and soul.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• correctness
• durability
• integrity
• solidity
• solvency