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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of purr
Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Stocking Stuffers Under $30 Cat lovers will purr over these adorable bowls.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Rob Picheta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Over a plate of fries, Alaska spoke in her signature bass purr about the meaning of family and the merits of drag.
—Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Stocking Stuffers Under $30 Cat lovers will purr over these adorable bowls.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
The president has purred at the advances of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, attacked Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and has barely returned Europe’s calls, cutting the continent out of negotiations over the end of the conflict.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
-
As the rumor mill has gone into overdrive, the town has whispered that Peter Safran – the co-chairman of WB’s DC Films with James Gunn – could possibly inherit control of all of Warner Bros. if things continue to go south.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Traders are whispering that Powell could announce an end to the Fed’s balance sheet runoff program, known as quantitative tightening, which could boost the bitcoin price, crypto and stock markets.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There was a clear rise in noise in the room as people murmured about the person who had just entered.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2025
-
As Gaetz's controversies dominated the news cycle and senators on both sides of the aisle expressed hesitance about confirming his nomination, murmurs arose that the Ethics Committee was thinking about finally releasing its report on the lawmaker given the strong public interest.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Players swig from beer cans and shout old-timey sayings at one another.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The proud dad even shared John’s grades, showing screenshots of his 100% test scores in business law while shouting out Hill for their son’s scholastic success.—
Avalon Hester,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Later in the period, Andersson chirped Shesterkin, who signed an eight-year, $11.5 million average annual value contract earlier this year.—
Peter Baugh,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
-
This is part of the reason why more and more owners and executives are starting to chirp about an MLB salary cap when the league’s collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, 2026.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Another level hems the player in with blocks of self-questioning text while the sound of someone gasping for air drones on in the background.—
Christopher Byrd,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Who doesn’t gasp with delight at a bicyclist doing cartwheels on a tightrope?—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Piper, Lachlan and their parents have made their way to the Buddhist community so that Timothy and Victoria can speak with the monk, Luang Por Teera (Suthichai Yoon).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
This is not the first time Wood has spoken about her distinctive smile while promoting The White Lotus season three.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
While the evidence does not support the use of cinnamon tea for nausea and vomiting, people who drink the tea do breathe in cinnamon vapors along with ingesting cinnamon and may experience similar results.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The topper, incorporating wool and horsehair, allows the mattress to breathe, as opposed to foam mattresses.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share