as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
heard the burr of a distant engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hum
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the pitch burred past the batter's ear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burr
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
Think conical burr grinders, milk frothers, and more.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 July 2025
Each burr is rendered with astonishing devotion, pitted and scarred where the antlers shed free in springtime.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
Someone used a chainsaw to illegally cut down five burr and basswood trees along the walking and bike paths at Cedar Lake, causing thousands of dollars in damage, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board says.
—Axios Twin Cities, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burr
Noun
The alternative to burr grinders is blade grinders.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
Think conical burr grinders, milk frothers, and more.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 July 2025
Each burr is rendered with astonishing devotion, pitted and scarred where the antlers shed free in springtime.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
Someone used a chainsaw to illegally cut down five burr and basswood trees along the walking and bike paths at Cedar Lake, causing thousands of dollars in damage, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board says.
—Axios Twin Cities, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burr
Noun
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Schumann Resonance Time Acceleration Schumann resonances are natural, low-frequency electromagnetic hums that form in the cavity between Earth’s surface and the ionosphere (50-600 miles above the surface).—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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The lobby bar, meanwhile, hums as the social engine of the property.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The viral clip has racked up nearly 19 million views so far, leaving fans buzzing over the pair’s funny performance.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The internet buzzed when Team Cherry announced Silksong.—
Keller Gordon,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Fluffy robot pets that purr for your attention or tell you a joke.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Rather than go up with his right hand, the Nuggets star used his big mitt to zip a pass through two Estonian defenders.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
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That's fast enough to zip from New York to Los Angeles in under two seconds — and to escape the galaxy entirely.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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High in the hills near the Myanmar border, Ban Rak Thai greets the morning with the smell of oolong and the soft rustle of tea leaves.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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As Denver’s locker room echoes with the empty rustles of equipment staffers, Jahdae Barron lingers.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Made up of a cozy microfiber fabric shell with polyester filling, the bedspread is ultra breathable for all-season use, skin friendly, and whisper quiet for a less disruptive night’s sleep.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burr. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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