1
as in humming
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the sound of droning bees all around us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in idling
to spend time doing nothing
instead of getting a job, he preferred to drone and live off his parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of droning
Teak Didgeridoo Didgeridoos are wind instruments originating from Indigenous Australian culture and are typically used for rhythmic, droning sound production.
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
The conventional gearbox also avoids the droning often associated with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Living rooms welcome the ambient tones of squeaking sneakers and droning cheer squads.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
The muses of these two shows felt titillatingly out of reach, an arch if mischievous contrast to the many designers droning backstage about wanting to dress real women (and then giving them completely boring clothes).
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Whereas the film is madcap and edgy—even bratty—the Wuthering Heights album is sullen and stately, built upon strings and droning electronics.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
As far as Garland’s projects go, Devs comes closest to matching the paranoia and droning anxiety of the multi-hyphenate’s literary work.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
The standout craft element here is a powerful horror score by Hildur Gudnadottir that ranges from solemn, quasi-ecclesiastical passages to gut-churning, droning soundscapes.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Apr. 2026
The conventional gearbox also avoids the droning often associated with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Living rooms welcome the ambient tones of squeaking sneakers and droning cheer squads.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
The muses of these two shows felt titillatingly out of reach, an arch if mischievous contrast to the many designers droning backstage about wanting to dress real women (and then giving them completely boring clothes).
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Whereas the film is madcap and edgy—even bratty—the Wuthering Heights album is sullen and stately, built upon strings and droning electronics.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
As far as Garland’s projects go, Devs comes closest to matching the paranoia and droning anxiety of the multi-hyphenate’s literary work.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
The standout craft element here is a powerful horror score by Hildur Gudnadottir that ranges from solemn, quasi-ecclesiastical passages to gut-churning, droning soundscapes.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
Verb
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When humming on both ends of the court, Michigan possesses a gear everyone else can only wish for.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Churches will be humming today, focused on the Christian claims of Jesus’ resurrection.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neurobots spend less time idling and more time exploring.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Mar. 2026
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Other steps like keeping tires inflated, using A/C sparingly as needed, using cruise control, avoiding long idling, and servicing your vehicle regularly can also significantly help save fuel, GasBuddy recommends.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The room was buzzing with conversation, ranging from lively beauty networking to the latest Summer House drama.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
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But that moment when your internet is too slow for gaming, your laptop is too laggy for your creativity, or your TV sounds like a buzzing fly is when all the fun ends, and the stress begins.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As for the 33,193 fans who sat through this bone-chilling night, most of them went home happy.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Authorities have not identified a suspect or motive, though the FBI released chilling doorbell camera video of an armed and masked man outside Nancy Guthrie’s home on the morning she was reported missing.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan is standing over Coach, who is lounging in a hammock like a bruised banana that is too good to touch the counter.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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A lot of lounging happens in that first year, and this comfy cotton crewneck sweatshirt is the perfect gift for the occasion.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Texas Ranger introduces bodycam video Prosecutors have begun playing video of law enforcement interrogations of Tanner Horner, beginning with Texas Ranger Job Espinoza demanding that Horner tell him where Athena is and asking if the child was alive or dead when Horner left her.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Getting flexed into prime time, akin to Tuesday’s date in Boston, and playing in meaningful games in late March and early April is a signal Peterson’s vision is working.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Verb
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The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed.—
Jim Moore,
Outdoor Life,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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