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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of droning
The sound of tattoo machines droning at different pitches filled the air at the fifth annual Capitol City Classic tattoo convention, on Saturday afternoon, the second day of its three-day run.
—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Instead, there’s a surplus of annoying, droning noise.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
There’s no sound more evocative of summer than that of an old-school ice cream maker’s motor droning its monotonous naaaaaaaa with the backbeat of gas station ice and rock salt grinding and shifting against the spinning ice cream cannister.
—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Here, a morning coffee on the sea-view private sun terrace comes complete with diving swifts and droning dragonflies, not to mention the sound of pulling tides.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
The constant, incessant, droning sounds in between each pitch that blare from the sound system are manufactured slop, screeching ‘NEW YORKKKKKKKK!
—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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
The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums.
—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Instead, there’s a surplus of annoying, droning noise.
—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
There’s no sound more evocative of summer than that of an old-school ice cream maker’s motor droning its monotonous naaaaaaaa with the backbeat of gas station ice and rock salt grinding and shifting against the spinning ice cream cannister.
—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Here, a morning coffee on the sea-view private sun terrace comes complete with diving swifts and droning dragonflies, not to mention the sound of pulling tides.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
The constant, incessant, droning sounds in between each pitch that blare from the sound system are manufactured slop, screeching ‘NEW YORKKKKKKKK!
—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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
The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums.
—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
Verb
-
The stock market gains that have helped keep the economy humming have exacerbated the yawning wealth gap.
-
Brynjolfsson is teaching overflow classes about AI and technological progress, as well as running a humming lab tracking AI’s effect on workers, firms, and human welfare.
Verb
-
At the same time, the sounds of idling diesel work truck engines have replaced that of dozens of fire trucks that had been stationed there for days.
-
The second album this year from metalcore pioneers Converge is named for a mysterious, pulsing, low-frequency ambient drone, likened by those who hear it to a diesel engine, an idling airplane, or a kind of inescapable torture.
Verb
-
Vic makes some baffling choices here, buzzing in twice on the first word in the series without hearing the rest, and getting eliminated from multiple rounds five seconds in.
-
Between record-setting parades, military flyovers, and fireworks on the National Mall, the district will be buzzing on Independence Day.
Verb
-
Great for running errands, chilling on the couch, or curling up on a redeye flight, this sporty set can do it all.
-
The good news is that many of these risks are preventable with simple habits like cleaning, separating raw foods, cooking thoroughly, and chilling foods promptly.
Verb
-
Unlike during recovery months when high-intensity skiing and snowboarding take precedence, the remainder of the year is much more focused on lounging, pampering and connecting with other guests.
-
An old recording studio, still adorned with a grand piano, now exists more as a lounging space.
Verb
-
Win prizes playing interactive games, network with artists and entrepreneurs and enjoy signature drinks and bar snacks available for purchase.
-
Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
Verb
-
Indeed, Ederson has moments where he can be caught dawdling with the ball, hoping for an opening that doesn’t always arrive.
-
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.
Verb
-
Martin removed his right fielder for loafing on a ball hit to the outfield.
-
Kids who used to run to the field excited to play, suddenly started loafing to the field wearing their crocs with their heads buried in their phones.
Cite this Entry
“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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