variants
also whirr
as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
a whir coming from the refrigerator
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also whirr
as in to hum
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the hummingbird whirred as it hovered over a flower our tires whirred as we traveled over the rough road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whir
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Between intermittent interviews in a somber Royals clubhouse on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium, the lone prevailing noise was the whir of a refreshment refrigerator.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Electric forklifts whirred and precisely stacked rice weighing 44,080 pounds into neat rows to be lifted into a barge’s deep depths.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
This is a full-sensory experience with everything from the whir of roller skates on a retro rink to enough pink to make a flamingo blush.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Between intermittent interviews in a somber Royals clubhouse on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium, the lone prevailing noise was the whir of a refreshment refrigerator.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Verb
Helicopters whirred overhead throughout the weekend as Anaconda residents adjusted to daily life after the shooting.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Electric forklifts whirred and precisely stacked rice weighing 44,080 pounds into neat rows to be lifted into a barge’s deep depths.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
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
-
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
Noun
-
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Fluffy robot pets that purr for your attention or tell you a joke.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
The result was a ghostly, otherworldly sound that could shift from whispers to booming calls depending on the breath.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The results cast doubt on whether the plumes truly carry whispers of alien life, or merely echoes of lifeless chemistry on the frozen shell.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In an age when generating the biggest buzz seems to be the only way to get ahead, Ron del Barrilito is quietly doubling down on its history.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Real Performance, Real Credibility FIBI isn’t just building buzz—they’re earning trust.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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