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
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The sounds playing throughout Bridgestone Arena were dystopian-sounding crackling, ominous hums and the eerie whirs of machinery as lights flickered onstage.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 Sep. 2024
PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
There’s been a whirring carousel of complaints and grievances around modern basketball’s 3-point reliance.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
Sunday, June 8, 2025 Lake Como, Italy THE PARTY AT THE VILLA
A single chilling wail erupts from the grand ballroom on Palazzo Mella’s ground floor, cutting through the whir of the choppers above.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
The sounds playing throughout Bridgestone Arena were dystopian-sounding crackling, ominous hums and the eerie whirs of machinery as lights flickered onstage.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 Sep. 2024
Verb
Focus is slow in general—the lens often shows a slight delay when driving from one subject to another and whirs loudly enough to hear in a quiet room.
—PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
There’s been a whirring carousel of complaints and grievances around modern basketball’s 3-point reliance.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Verb
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Their voices hum together and, in those moments, Mazzoli’s music is both beautiful and disturbing.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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Near the entrance of the building's nave, a triptych of towering black computer servers are humming loudly.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The frequency of a cat's purr, usually between 25 to 150 hertz, has therapeutic effects on a person's body and mind, according to an article from Inspira Health Network.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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The duo quickly became inseparable, with footage capturing their adorable cuddles and Marble's soothing purrs as William clings to Marble's soft fur.—
Ronnie Li,
USA TODAY,
17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In truth, whispers have been circulating for months that a The Row homewares line might be in the works.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
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Some people are forthright when Boulet asks, with a cameraman in tow, a question that is often not spoken, or at most in a locker-room whisper.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rosso was however adamant to share that the flamboyant silver piece already generated buzz.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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With that unusual context, Apple is using the current moment to try and drive subscriptions to its Apple TV+ streaming video service, both taking advantage of the buzz and locking in a recurring services revenue stream along the way.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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