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
Examples 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 pair spent the evening cozied up at their table, whispering and sharing several kisses throughout the night.Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
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That is generally French for saying that yes, a dog can whisper.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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All the other drives ended in punts – 11 to be exact – as the Levi’s Stadium crowd began to murmur about the lack of scoring.Scott Thompson, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024
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Additionally, lawmakers across the spectrum have begun to murmur about the necessity of a resignation from Macron if the Assembly has any chance of passing legislation.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 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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By midday Wednesday, distressed Santa Monica residents gasped in the smoke and strained against 40-mph wind gusts, dragging pets and suitcases to their cars to flee the mandatory evacuation zone north of San Vicente.Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
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In December 2024, Gomez reacted to her double nomination with a video on her Instagram Stories, in which gasped and buried her face in her hands after her name was called in the movies category.Raven Brunner, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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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Galle did not speak at his sentencing, instead choosing to have defense attorney Liz Parker read his statement for him.Angel Saunders, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
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Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, has spoken poignantly of her desire to have a baby — but only once she’s landed that elusive first major title.Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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To purge their body of nitrogen, an astronaut needs to breathe pure oxygen for a few hours, both before and after donning a spacesuit.Regina Kim, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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Too many people breathe out while their head is out of the water, Ms. Peluse said.Erik Vance, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near purr
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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