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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Stephen Busemeyer, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2024
After his surgery, Jinxy was able to open his eyes and purr at his owner without pain, Myrna said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 July 2024
Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
In the end, the best Persian cat isn’t the one that dazzles on stage but the one that purrs in your home.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr 
Noun
The King of Tone has a few knobs and two buttons — one to boost the volume level and one to engage the overdrive circuit, creating a tone that can range from a subtle purr to an angry lion, but firmly on this side of heavy metal.
—Stephen Busemeyer, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2024
After his surgery, Jinxy was able to open his eyes and purr at his owner without pain, Myrna said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 July 2024
Verb
As Stern’s Instagram posts have shown us, Bud has learned to use his litter box in front of the duo, has begun to accept cat treats from a human hand, and has even been purring in response to some gentle petting.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
In the end, the best Persian cat isn’t the one that dazzles on stage but the one that purrs in your home.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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The Trump and Vance families whispered and shook their heads.—
German Lopez,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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Dive into Miami’s vibrant diversity and see the destination in a new light where creativity knows no bounds and history whispers from every corner.—
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Twice, a jaw-grinder with dreadful tats scuttles by murmuring, in a serious rush.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
18 Dec. 2024
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Imagine what those murderers and rapists do to young men in prison, murmurs one of the Soviet censors to Tomáš.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The hearing was briefly stopped several times by protesters with at least one shouting about the deadly fires in Los Angeles and the role fossil fuels play in global warming.—
Timothy Gardner,
USA TODAY,
16 Jan. 2025
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Authentic marketing isn’t about shouting the loudest but speaking the clearest.—
Carlo Tortora Brayda,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If an alarm chirps, indicating that the battery is low, it should be replaced right away.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
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The digital cash registers, which Helen Schneider manages, chirped at the checkout lines up front.—
Keith Schneider,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Clearly thrilled, Rae gasps, then smiles wide for a selfie with them.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 Jan. 2025
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Lisa Warwick found her husband gasping for air at the foot of the basement stairs and knew the miracle was over.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One daughter then raises her hand near her mouth and appears to mouth something to the vice president.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
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Fike doesn’t mouth along to the songs, make distinct markers of when one ends and another begins, or even mention the titles of any of them.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2024
Verb
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About 18 people spoke at the meeting about Naperville’s electric utility and its contract with IMEA.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
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San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and Oakland A’s manager Art Howe also spoke highly of Ichiro’s potential, and New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza raved about his home-to-first quickness.—
Chad Jennings,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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It is regulated by breathing out carbon dioxide and by the kidneys.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
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Through his poised and assured play, Daniels has breathed life into a stale Commanders organization, which has booked its first spot in the NFC Championship game since the 1991-92 season.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near purr
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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