burr 1 of 2

noun

ˈbər How to pronounce burr (audio)
Definition of burrnext
as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion heard the burr of a distant engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

burr

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Burr grinders crush coffee beans evenly between two steel or ceramic burrs. — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026 Naturalists note the golf course’s rolling hills host burr trees, cross country skiing trails, coyote paths and other scenic draws. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 May 2026 Their bestselling models use stainless steel blades, but Krups does offer burr grinders, too. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 His tone had a burr of excitement that didn’t match the words. — Josh Owens, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burr
  1. hum
  2. buzz
  3. purr
  4. zip
  5. rustle
  6. whisper
Noun
  • Syrian natives Karam and Noor have spent long days this summer sitting in the respite of their small New Haven apartment, listening to the gentle buzz of the air conditioner and the hum of Karam’s dialysis machine.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Scattered on the dunes, the surviving population of Gaza was reduced to bare existence, subject to unrelenting hunger and thirst under the ever-present hum of killer drones and bomber jets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of hum
Verb
  • The Maumelle All About Community Facebook group had been buzzing over the presence of Steph Curry.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd started to buzz as Randy Orton came through and got into the ring.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzz
Noun
  • Wafting odors of 100-octane gasoline and rumbling purrs of V8 engines punched through the overcast morning at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday as the Velocity Invitational car meet entered its second day.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
  • But a growing body of research suggests some of the most therapeutic sounds on earth are already in your home — your cat’s purr, rain on the window, birdsong outside.
    — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Definition of purr
Verb
  • But even with a marathon three-hour runtime and approximately 1 bazillion cameos, Endgame is remarkably light on its feet, zipping throughout time for a story that not only pays tribute to the films that came before but casts them in a new light.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike a conventional ball machine, even one that can move around the court, this robot coach is designed to behave more like a human opponent – zipping across the court to reach your return shot, then firing a ball back to you.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of zip
Noun
  • All were filled with Chenier’s murmuring accordion, the rustle of a washboard player and slinky grooves.
    — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • Everything is quiet apart from the rustle of leaves and the gentle murmur of voices from the bar.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of rustle
Noun
  • Furthermore, the collaboration advanced a large-area ammonia compressor, which could bring this whisper-quiet technology closer to commercial use in noise-sensitive environments like hospitals, schools, and homes.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Delicate Japanese simplicity prevails while leaving whispers of the original French palatial style—such as distinctive moldings that are unique to the building.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of whisper

Browse Nearby Words

burps
burr
burred
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Cite this Entry

“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burr. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of burr for Spanish Speakers

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