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
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
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Recent Examples of burr
Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 21 Feb. 2025
Instead of violently slashing your beans into inconsistent shards, a burr grinder breaks them down into a consistent, sandy pile by methodically rotating them against an abrasive surface.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 11 July 2024
Insert the portafilter underneath the conical burr grinder and the machine will dose out the perfect amount of coffee grounds.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
In the elegant study—a former home theater—a vintage burr yew wood desk holds court.
—Busola Evans, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for burr
Noun
In addition, the coffee and espresso maker has a conical burr grinder with 13 settings, but it can be bypassed to use ground coffee instead to make a pot or cup of coffee.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 21 Feb. 2025
Instead of violently slashing your beans into inconsistent shards, a burr grinder breaks them down into a consistent, sandy pile by methodically rotating them against an abrasive surface.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 11 July 2024
Insert the portafilter underneath the conical burr grinder and the machine will dose out the perfect amount of coffee grounds.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
In the elegant study—a former home theater—a vintage burr yew wood desk holds court.
—Busola Evans, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for burr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burr
Verb
-
By the 16th century, drone also came to mean a dull, continuous humming sound, and later, someone blindly follows orders similar to a bee.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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This is a humdinger of a pollinator plant, attracting not only humming bees and butterflies, but a host of other insects, too.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
In Boo's case, the loud purrs likely signal both comfort and a growing bond with her new human.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Her soft purrs and loving eyes will remind you every day that you are adored.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Much of the cast, including creator Lin Manuel Miranda, Jonathan Groff, Daveed Diggs, Christopher Jackson, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Reneé Elise Goldsberry, walked the carpet embracing other stars who were buzzing with excitement for what the performance could be.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
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But others, including Grand Central Market, were already buzzing with customers.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
There was no answer, just a footstep behind him and the rustle of a dress.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
-
The usual rustles—of people shifting in their chairs, reaching for water bottles, pulling out cellphones, or opening laptops to check email—stopped cold.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
21 Mar. 2019
Verb
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But where are the best spots to zip around on a motorboat or charter a yacht?—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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They were last seen zipping east on Lorraine St. EMS rushed the bus driver to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a minor injury, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Other spas boast aerial views or shout about amenities; Shibui whispers, and the result is the world’s most opulent ASMR experience.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
3 June 2025
-
Amid burnout, a workforce hungry for purpose, and a cultural shift toward well-being, many professionals still whisper about their sabbatical or career gap, afraid it’ll be read as a red flag instead of a reset.—
Daisy Auger-Domínguez,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burr. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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