as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
the steady thrum of the turbines in the power plant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thrum
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
The thrum comes through clearly in the soundscape of the market, a cacophony of live animals, merchants, shoppers and roving musicians.
—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, his daytime trade as a geologist brought him from his home turf near Nashville to the Pacific Northwest, that rugged place whose seismic activity seems to thrum like the gears of a great subconscious.
—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrum
Noun
Olive Nwosu's debut feature radiates a restless, pulsing energy — both through the thrum of Lagos and the courage of its women.
—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
The thrum comes through clearly in the soundscape of the market, a cacophony of live animals, merchants, shoppers and roving musicians.
—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
By the afternoon, the same room thrummed with the clink of glasses and unhurried conversation.
—
Katie Strasberg Rousso,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, his daytime trade as a geologist brought him from his home turf near Nashville to the Pacific Northwest, that rugged place whose seismic activity seems to thrum like the gears of a great subconscious.
—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrum
Noun
-
Even when guitarist Kurt Ballou’s noise screeches over the top, the low end remains like a persistent hum.
-
The town's hospital hums with constant activity, marking the scale of the outbreak in the town.
Verb
-
The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
-
The lyrics are both whispered and nearly shouted.
Noun
-
Wafting odors of 100-octane gasoline and rumbling purrs of V8 engines punched through the overcast morning at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday as the Velocity Invitational car meet entered its second day.
-
That detail has led researchers to wonder whether the purr is partly a self-healing mechanism, a body soothing itself from the inside out.
Verb
-
Louis let out a hissing breath.
-
However, some observers have reported hearing faint crackling or hissing noises during intense displays.
Noun
-
The Internet's obsession isn't solely a result of social media buzz.
-
But even with the buzz behind her, Brooke, who plays keytar, isn’t immune to the challenges of embracing the indie side of the business.
Verb
-
Yoon murmurs something into her ear.
-
There are also murmurs about the US government wanting a stake in the company.
Verb
-
Watching the hearing via Zoom from a prison holding room, Powell wiped his eyes and sighed heavily as Cribbs once again recited the facts of the case before Judge Rachelle Carnesale, explaining when Walton was fatally shot.
-
Pino’s supporters sighed and sniffled when the verdict was announced.
Verb
-
Inside, fans are whirring and a woman behind the cash register speaks on the phone in Korean.
-
The machine whirs to life, the smell of hot plastic slowly seeping into the air.
Cite this Entry
“Thrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrum. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
