whiz 1 of 3

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

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2

whiz

2 of 3

noun (2)

whiz

3 of 3

verb

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

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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

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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
References to the man’s life and work whiz by — illustrator Quentin Blake, a longtime collaborator, mentioned by first name only; ex-wife Patricia Neal, the Oscar-winning actress, alluded to passingly. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026 Cooper, meanwhile, was camped out in the middle of the newsroom at a table that was used frequently by data whiz Harry Enten, that was now repurposed with an arrangement of podcast mics for the anchor and analyst guests. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The drone flew into the yard and dropped a three-foot package before whizzing away, the captain of the drone hunting team for South Carolina’s state prisons told CNN in an interview. Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 3 May 2026 Fayetteville, North Carolina — Three small drones whizzed overhead, piloted by soldiers on laptops. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiz
Noun
  • Starting four hours before each match, there will be no outbound service to New Jersey, while any returning trains will stop at Newark Penn Station for three hours after the final whistle.
    Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — Which official blew the whistle on COVID-19 origins?
    , FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
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
Noun
  • The federal gas tax has also remained unchanged since 1993, which experts say has already eroded the Highway Trust Fund’s purchasing power when accounting for inflation.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • But legal experts say Uber’s proposal to cap attorney compensation — which would apply to all car accident cases, not just those involving rideshare vehicles — risks shutting poor people who can’t afford to pay a lawyer up front out of courthouses.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The brick-and-mortar Harbaugh gets to face off against scheme wizard Sean McVay.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2026
  • Since co-founding Vampire Weekend 20 years ago and producing the band’s first three albums, Rostam Batmanglij has enjoyed a unique profile as a pop songwriter and studio wizard, especially for a guy whose sound never really left his old band’s highbrow sensibilities behind.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Gaga hisses to her hair and makeup team after Priestly swans away.
    Nigel Smith, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
  • Mature geese have kept a close eye on the eggs, occasionally honking and hissing at those who have approached.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • However, once the moon enters Aries later this evening, your phone will be buzzing nonstop with plans, updates and gossip.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
  • Levy says Leap had a big hand in revitalizing this stretch of Bleecker Street, which is now buzzing with stores, cafés and restaurants.
    Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The acoustic guitar sounds natural and crisp, and the cymbals have a fair amount of sizzle, especially for a speaker at this price point.
    Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
  • After one more look-ahead sizzle reminding the audience about the power of WBD’s IP, the show ended at just about 10 minutes over the hour mark.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Unlike at Shadden’s, the only mechanical purr is the brief rumble of a passing car.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
  • In its megacities and beyond, traffic is increasingly falling silent, the dull whir of the electric motor replacing the purr of an internal combustion engine.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiz. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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