as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
On most days, the surf is loud enough to mask the steady purr of cars.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
Hot chocolate, ’90s rom-coms, purring kittens, and the best luxury throw blankets.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
-
The hotel is on a block next to a major road, but the noise is more of a distant city hum than a nuisance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Both of them suggest the guitarist Loren Connors leading the early roars of Earth, his intuitive way of navigating the instrument’s neck bolstered by a formidable wall of hum at his back.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Two staffers next to me whispered to each other, catching up about their week off.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
And so someone might come past me and whisper over my shoulder.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
His teammates murmur in agreement.—
Natalie Escobar,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
But many questions went unanswered, frustrating many murmuring and grumbling attendees.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fans sang soccer chants and shouted players’ names.—
Warren Mayes,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
But both camps have shared stories of harassment from the other side, including removing campaign literature, shouting at volunteers, and online bullying.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Atkinson was chirping at Blair, which Black said was common (for Atkinson to be chirping at anyone), and there was a lot of contact.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, using this handy guide to identify the birds chirping in my yard each morning.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Barker gasped in recognition and delight.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Symptoms of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, resemble a cold, with a cough that usually worsens over weeks and can cause gasping, vomiting and difficulty breathing, the Pasadena Public Health Department said in a statement announcing the outbreak.—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To sterilize empty jars, set them mouth up on the rack in a boiling-water canner.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2026
-
Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Police say another mother, identified in the affidavit as Jada Hayes, remained in the parking lot after the meeting to speak with Dunmars about allegations that Dunmars’ child was bullying her own child.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
When the three-time All-Star with the Braves speaks highly of current catcher Drake Baldwin, his comments hold a little more weight.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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