as in purr
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
we heard the hum of an outboard motor and a few minutes later the small craft came into sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hum
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
At the plate: The Rockies offense was humming from the get-go against former Colorado southpaw Tyler Anderson, who gave up four runs in two-plus innings.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
While [director] Garry [Brown] is [humming the S.W.A.T. opening theme]….
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Feb. 2025
But people can’t always hum it accurately enough for the algorithm.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hum
Verb
To turn one into the other shows an offense that’s humming.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025
At the plate: The Rockies offense was humming from the get-go against former Colorado southpaw Tyler Anderson, who gave up four runs in two-plus innings.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025
While [director] Garry [Brown] is [humming the S.W.A.T. opening theme]….
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Feb. 2025
But people can’t always hum it accurately enough for the algorithm.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
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Her plush cat, with a pillow-like body and realistic purr, will be sold direct to consumer on her website.—
Joan Verdon,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Giving him a little hug and hearing him purr definitely lifts my spirit.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Since bursting onto the scene as a freshman, Janiah has carried a heavy load for Seminole Ridge, showcasing not only her scoring ability but also her all-around impact on the game.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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Today’s styles run the gamut from nostalgic hearts and classic knots to bursting stars and beachy swirls.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pro tip: Downtown will be buzzing with excitement, and parking will be limited, so rideshare apps or carpooling might be your best bet.—
Madalyn Mendoza,
Axios,
28 Mar. 2025
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Steven’s phone buzzed shortly after the first-half buzzer.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some earbuds claim to be noise-canceling but barely block out a whisper.—
Juhi Wadia,
PCMAG,
17 Mar. 2025
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There were also controlling parents and whispers of abuse throughout the industry.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Beattie is just one figure in a bulging cast of characters that Stewart handily divides into five main categories: Funders, Thinkers, Sergeants, Infantry and Power Players.—
Jennifer Szalai,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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As Ne Zha, his wide eyes often bulge in different directions.—
Fred Topel,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Any time a leaf rustles in the outfield, the AI picks it up.—
John Werner,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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There are footsteps and rustles — is that a door closing?—
Amelia Nierenberg,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The crew plans to zip between the poles in 46 minutes and 40 seconds at an altitude of 265 to 280 miles, for three to five days.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Here's what to know about Canada, the U.S., and the electricity that zips across the border.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The underground club where much of the film takes place, all whirring Vegas-y electronica, could be the single coolest set in cinema. 2.—
Vince Aletti,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
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Watching hummingbirds whir around your garden is a true delight!—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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