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
Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024
Not all cats purr – some are physically unable to produce the vibrations.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
This is Samuel, played with purring carnality by Harris Dickinson.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
This little kitty purrs, walks, and even tumbles, giving my daughter all the fun of having another cat without the extra fur or midnight meows.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024
Not all cats purr – some are physically unable to produce the vibrations.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Verb
Cats show their love by slowly blinking, purring and kneading.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
This is Samuel, played with purring carnality by Harris Dickinson.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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Before being sentenced to 38 years in prison for the murder of his third wife, former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson cried, raged and whispered during a 40-minute speech.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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Some of the dialogue meets the same fate, mumbled or whispered into the swell of Jed Kurzel’s evocative soundtrack.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Divergent aspects of Cage’s language—hypnotically simple harmony in the first, percussive murmuring in the other—complemented the film’s rapt aura.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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Wrapping a pair of leaves around my wrist, Garcia pressed her thumb into my pulse point and murmured a blessing.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Fans in their team jerseys waved flags, shouted for their countrymen and continued the ritual booing of the opposing national anthem that has become an nightly undercard for a tournament that was the return of NHL stars to the international scene after missing the last two Winter Olympics.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
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There’s plenty such wordplay in The Safe House, to the point that the movie can seem like a caricature of overeducated, perpetually growling Parisians shouting for social change, but too self-centered and comfortable in their bourgeois lifestyles to do anything drastic about it.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Birds chirp from the trees, there's the trickle of a distant stream, and the church bells from the next town echo across the hills.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
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Sirianni was seen chirping back at fans who were seated behind the bench as Philadelphia moved to 3-2 on the season.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
13 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Photo: Courtesy of AMPAS The Winners … Best Picture: The Last Emperor Best Actor: Michael Douglas, Wall Street Best Actress: Cher, Moonstruck Best Director: Bernardo Bertolucci, The Last Emperor Half of the fun of poring over class photos is gasping at the most famous face tucked into the lineup.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2025
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The audience gasped seeing a lion cub cowering inside.—
Michael Freeman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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Residents should limit their time outside and dress warmly, making sure to cover their head, face and mouth with a knit hat or scarf, protect their hands with mittens or gloves, wear several layers of loose-fitting clothes and put on water-resistant shoes or boots.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Bill Burr recently spoke to The New York Times and shrugged off Ben Shapiro‘s criticism of him.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2025
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Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would be the last to speak before the vote.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To date, Francis is breathing on his own and his heart function is said to be good.—
NICOLE WINFIELD,
arkansasonline.com,
20 Feb. 2025
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Desperate for a marquee event every year, the Champions Trophy was dusted off and shoehorned into a cricket calendar that is struggling to breathe.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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