whiz 1 of 3

noun (1)

variants or whizz
Definition of whiznext
1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the whiz of an arrow flying by at an uncomfortably close range

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion the irritating whiz of a bee in the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whiz

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field the computer whiz to whom we all go when we're having problems, which is fairly often

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wizard
a very smart person one of those whizzes who does very well in every subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whiz

3 of 3

verb

ˈ(h)wiz How to pronounce whiz (audio)
variants or whizz
1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ just hearing the bullets whiz as they fly by their heads must be terrifying for soldiers

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to hum
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound many vehicles were whizzing past us at breakneck speeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 whiz
Noun
Would Orioles defensive whiz Brooks Robinson have been a great goalkeeper? — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Kellner is a former WARDEX tech whiz hired right out of the prison parking lot on his release day after serving eight years for cyber crimes. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
Verb
The trouble was, the arrows kept multiplying—appearing from nowhere, whizzing in every direction—and even Larry couldn’t seem to contain them. — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026 Those good vibes were on display when Son’s shot whizzed between two defenders and the outstretched arms of Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic. — Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiz
  1. whistle
  2. hum
  3. expert
  4. wizard
  5. hiss
  6. buzz
  7. sizzle
  8. purr
Noun
  • Each time assistant coach Pablo de la Torre, the fitness specialist, blew his whistle, the players had to sprint to the far end of the pitch and back again before the rondos resumed.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One of them, a shorter, bearded man with a nose reddened and swollen from years of abusing liquor, gave a low whistle.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of whistle
Noun
  • Syrian natives Karam and Noor have spent long days this summer sitting in the respite of their small New Haven apartment, listening to the gentle buzz of the air conditioner and the hum of Karam’s dialysis machine.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Scattered on the dunes, the surviving population of Gaza was reduced to bare existence, subject to unrelenting hunger and thirst under the ever-present hum of killer drones and bomber jets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of hum
Noun
  • Despite growing speculation, experts caution that many details surrounding the J-36 remain based on open-source imagery rather than official disclosures.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Christina Giaquinto is an organizing expert and spiritual life coach who served as a brand ambassador and organizing expert for Modular Closets.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert
Noun
  • Food and drink Chefs Loice Acom and Gad Hafashimana are wizards in the Kibale Lodge kitchen.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • Balloons float above an exploding castle, a giant peeks from behind the bushes and wizards throw flames in the foreground.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
Definition of wizard
Verb
  • Wynn said the alligator started to get agitated and even opened its mouth and hissed at her.
    — Steven Yablonski, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • The complete assembly weighs just enough for the Madagascar hissing cockroach, a species favored for cyborg research because of its large size, robustness, and wingless body, to carry without significantly impairing its movement.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
Definition of hiss
Verb
  • The Maumelle All About Community Facebook group had been buzzing over the presence of Steph Curry.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd started to buzz as Randy Orton came through and got into the ring.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzz
Noun
  • There are not a lot of good places to have a classic steakhouse experience in Oakland – with a stylish and luxurious atmosphere, sizzle and smoke of a flaming grill, true reverence for meat.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • At another kettle grill, thicker skirt steaks sizzle over the coals before receiving a dicing for the arrachera tacos.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of sizzle
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.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
  • But a growing body of research suggests some of the most therapeutic sounds on earth are already in your home — your cat’s purr, rain on the window, birdsong outside.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Definition of purr

Browse Nearby Words

whittling (down)
whiz
whizzed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiz. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on whiz

Nglish: Translation of whiz for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All