as in purr
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
we heard the hum of an outboard motor and a few minutes later the small craft came into sight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hum
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
In one classroom, the hum of a laser cutter broke the near silence of a computer and technology class.
—David Wade, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The city gets paid if everything is still humming along decades from now….
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Noun
On most days, the children’s adventure garden at the Dallas Arboretum hums with the chatter of curious kids.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
In one classroom, the hum of a laser cutter broke the near silence of a computer and technology class.
—David Wade, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Editor Joel Negron’s pacing keeps the film humming, though the slightly generous runtime may become a talking point in awards circles come fall, and that will be worth monitoring.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
The city gets paid if everything is still humming along decades from now….
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
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Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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For many of us, our truest Valentine has four legs, a wagging tail, a gentle purr or a happy chirp.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The escalating tensions came into sharp focus March 27, when animosity between GOP lawmakers in the two chambers of Congress burst dramatically into view.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Lendeborg today feels like an overnight sensation, bursting on the scene in his maize-and-blue out of nowhere.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Set the scene This is the city's most enviable address, where Orchard Road's buzzing energy meets the serenity of the Singapore Botanical Gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Inside the Trivium Corporate Center manufacturing site in Catawba County, the air buzzed with the hum and loud drill sounds of production.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Behind every trauma and calamity, whether personal or global, whispers of Jewish machination can be heard by those already listening for them.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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In this extraordinary moment, we're reminded that wisdom often comes in the smallest whispers, and true courage lies in following where we're led with childlike trust.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Tar Heel pipeline isn’t exactly bulging with the kind of coach the UNC job could attract.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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The Apple engineers’ eyes bulged in astonishment.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This one came after Delanie Sheehan penetrated the defense and zipped an effective pass to Ryan, who put the shot on net, but MacIver deflected it out of bounds.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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David Pastrnak gained the zone and slipped a pass over to Zacha, who zipped a wrist shot through Luukkonen’s pads for the GWG, his 24th goal of the season.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Everything is quiet apart from the rustle of leaves and the gentle murmur of voices from the bar.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
19 Mar. 2026
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Snowy and great egrets swoop across the water, and a gentle breeze rustles the golden-hued marsh grass this region is said to be named for.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a demo at CES 2026, Bluetooth SIG marketing VP Dave Hollander set an unlock distance on a phone across the room from a Bauer smart lock—then walked within 2 feet of the lock, leading its deadbolt to whir into the retracted position.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
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Luis was dressed in his hospital pyjamas; his pained breathing fogged his mask while the oxygen canister gurgled and whirred.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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