Synonyms of humming

humming 1 of 2

adjective

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity

the new science center is usually humming with school groups on Thursdays

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• busy
• thriving
• vibrant
• lively
• crowded
• brisk
• bustling
• populous
• abuzz
• rousing
• stirring
• animated
• flourishing
• alive
• happening
• hopping
• kinetic
• astir
• abubble
• aboil
• swarming
• overflowing
• teeming
• thronging
• abounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• sleepy
• inactive
• lifeless
• asleep

humming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hum

1

as in bursting

to be copiously supplied

one restaurant was humming with diners, while a neighboring eatery was practically empty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• bursting
• bulging
• brimming
• teeming
• swarming
• crawling
• bustling
• bristling
• overflowing
• abounding
• pullulating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lacking
• wanting
• needing

2

as in zipping

to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound

a helicopter hummed overhead

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• zipping
• whispering
• whirring
• hissing
• droning
• whistling
• whizzing
• murmuring
• sighing
• zooming
• burring
• purring
• thrumming
• whishing
• bumbling
• chirring
• cooing
• rustling
• churring
• wheezing
• swishing
• fizzing
• sizzling
• whooshing
• curring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of humming

Adjective

The Colts’ offense is absolutely humming. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025

Verb

Dreamy interludes pad the space between tracks with humming synths and strings; sometimes songs dissolve into floating mood pieces, anchored by a drone or loop. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

The insects protect their queen, collecting in a roiling, humming mass on his hand. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026

Director and co-screenwriter Cal Brunker keeps the 90-minute movie humming along at a fast clip, and even includes a Tough Mudder-like flashback of Marshall trying to clear a wall during his rescue training. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

After all, the transactions were humming along at a rapid pace. — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

On the other hand, it has also been credited for keeping the US economy humming, as wealthier Americans keep spending and businesses keep hiring. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

There’s a peculiar feedback loop humming around To Catch a Predator right now. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

At the center of the effort was sixth-year linebacker Nick Bolton, the quarterback of the unit, who focused on galvanizing the troops to create havoc and slow down an offense that had been humming earlier in the frame. — Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

But the dominance of that industry also leads to a proliferation of low-wage jobs keeping hotels clean, restaurants humming and theme parks bustling. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026