as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rehabilitation facility in Geed Deeble, Somaliland, shared a video of the cub purring behind some wild grass.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The latest research shows that years of hearing damage can silence quieter tones, such as the purr of a cat settling on your lap.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Japanese scientists linked androgen-receptor genes to types of purring in cats and discovered the gene that makes cats orange.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rehabilitation facility in Geed Deeble, Somaliland, shared a video of the cub purring behind some wild grass.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
Similarly, another woman, navigating the recent passing of her own cat, found solace in the gentle purrs of potential new companions, encouraged by friends to embrace the healing presence a new feline could offer.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The latest research shows that years of hearing damage can silence quieter tones, such as the purr of a cat settling on your lap.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
-
But if hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or plane hums keep you from getting some shut-eye, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
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At first glance, Nam-Joon Cho’s lab at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University looks like your typical research facility—scientists toiling away, crowded workbenches, a hum of machinery in the background.—
Sandy Ong,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Behind the set of double doors protecting the visiting locker room, the silence was so noticeable that conversations among players, owners and coaches could be nearly whispered — until Chris defensive star Chris Jones interrupted the tranquility.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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To convey alterations in tone, volume and emotion, a variable typeface is deployed, showing louder voices in a larger font and whispers in smaller text as well as different display options for pitch, non-speech sounds and music.—
Gus Alexiou,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deep breathing could be heard; birds chirped loudly outside; spectators murmured on the periphery.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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An Indian woman in sports clothes walks past me murmuring an unbroken monologue into her phone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moments after grabbing Seattle midfielder Obed Vargas around the neck, footage shows Suárez shouting and then spitting in the direction of a Sounders staff member.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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There is a write-in ballot option to shout out your top pick of sandwich maker.—
Endia Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deep breathing could be heard; birds chirped loudly outside; spectators murmured on the periphery.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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Some exchanges were breathtaking — to them, certainly, and to spectators who gasped at the power during longer points.—
Howard Fendrich,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As in the never-ending parade of ostensibly Christian exorcism movies, religious belief here seems like a superficial excuse for a stock array of supernatural hoodoo — no matter how many times Chalik’s Abuyya pauses the action to mouth some healing doctrine.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In addition to testimony about Tammy's physical health, Emma also spoke about her father's religious beliefs, saying that her mother shared them.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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The company also spoke about NVLink Fusion, a rack-scale scale up fabric, shown in concept below.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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