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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of whir
Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024
In 2020 and 2021, millions around the world sought freedom and security from the constant whir of the central bank printing press by unbanking themselves.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024
Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 31 July 2024
Elsewhere in the city, Israeli drones whir audibly overhead.
—Sam Heller, TIME, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whir 
Noun
The faint whir of a vacuum comes from somewhere nearby.
—Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024
In 2020 and 2021, millions around the world sought freedom and security from the constant whir of the central bank printing press by unbanking themselves.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
With record-setting summer heat waves, most Americans are also facing their highest electric bills ever, as air conditioners are working overtime and electric meters are whirring faster.
—Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 31 July 2024
Elsewhere in the city, Israeli drones whir audibly overhead.
—Sam Heller, TIME, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Verb
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The end-of-year flex of consumer strength marks the latest indication of resilient U.S. buying power, which has kept the economy humming despite a prolonged stretch of high interest rates.Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
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The pressure and spotlight will fixate on the player most likely to succeed Gabriel, who in his one year with the program finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and kept Oregon’s offense humming after the record-setting year by Bo Nix in 2023.Christopher Kamrani, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Stocking Stuffers Under $30 Cat lovers will purr over these adorable bowls.Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Recent whispers from Washington suggest that tariffs are unlikely to be broad.Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
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Veteran journalist Kim Osorio appears in the doc and says that there were whispers that Porter was a victim of Combs’ abuse, and an attorney for a client who sued Combs says her client witnessed acts of violence against Porter.Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After years of electric vehicles dominating the overall new car buzz (if not sales), hybrids made a strong, emphatic comeback in 2024.New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2025
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And as much of a novelty as other platforms might be — including tier-two Chinese alternatives, that buzz will quickly fade.Zak Doffman, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near whir
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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