as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
heard the burr of a distant engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 burr
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
Some of our favorite products are on sale, like a great conical burr grinder and a few excellent drip coffee makers.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 July 2025
Blade grinders are far less consistent, breaking beans unevenly rather than accurately shaving them into an even ground size and shape like a burr grinder.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 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
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
Some of our favorite products are on sale, like a great conical burr grinder and a few excellent drip coffee makers.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 July 2025
Blade grinders are far less consistent, breaking beans unevenly rather than accurately shaving them into an even ground size and shape like a burr grinder.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 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
Verb
-
Steeped in myth and legend, yet humming with fresh energy, Ireland is a place where tradition meets modernity.—
Louise Kavanagh,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Aug. 2025
-
For 16 miles along Woodward Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 16, supercars, classics, three-wheelers, hot rods, electric vehicles, muscle cars and even some cars fashioned to drive backward rumbled (or hummed) down the road.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Fluffy robot pets that purr for your attention or tell you a joke.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
And yes, the dogs bark, quietly, and the cats purr.—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Frank, on the other hand, buzzed up and down the technical area throughout the match, barking directions to his players and interacting with his team of coaches.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Now his phone keeps buzzing with dozens of requests from farmers, journalists and others seeking his expertise amid an unprecedented phenomenon: A massive assault by rats on the state’s $4.7 billion almond industry.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The wafting of a memory, the rustle of a rabbit through a snowbank, the unfolding of a rose.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
In the winter, a fireplace rustles inside as regulars read, talk between cups or type on screens.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
After top receiver Courtland Sutton dropped a dime from Nix on a fade route in Saturday’s preseason game, the two re-lit their connection Wednesday, with Nix scrambling to his right in one red-zone period and zipping a ball past a diving Ja’Quan McMillian to Sutton in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
13 Aug. 2025
-
After the stop in Chicago, the Tigers zip northwest to Minneapolis to face the Twins (who took two of three in Detroit last week) for the final four games of the season series on Aug. 14-17.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The warm handshake before your phone whispers your every movement to Big Tech behind your back.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Ahead of the cocktail party, everyone spends their time whispering to each other about which two women to vote out.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burr. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share