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
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
The harsh grinding of the elevated cable system is heard over low droning music.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
On the same phone, the police recovered a nearly three-minute video, very dimly lit, of a small figure working at the trunk of a large tree, a chainsaw droning in the background, leaning his whole weight into the job until the crackling collapse began.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Other times, the book sounds like a droning Christmas-card letter, as Sarkozy endlessly tallies his friends and foes.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
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
The harsh grinding of the elevated cable system is heard over low droning music.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
On the same phone, the police recovered a nearly three-minute video, very dimly lit, of a small figure working at the trunk of a large tree, a chainsaw droning in the background, leaning his whole weight into the job until the crackling collapse began.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Other times, the book sounds like a droning Christmas-card letter, as Sarkozy endlessly tallies his friends and foes.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
Verb
-
The constant sound first of construction equipment, then perpetually humming computer banks, was never part of the plan.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Three women sat in a row beside me under humming dryers, speaking in Swahili.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The car, however, has a feature that automatically turns off the engine after one hour of idling.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Does idling your car really burn that much fuel?—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Who wants to close out the week in Guadalajara drinking the finest tequila on earth, or eating through the buzzing dining scene of Chicago?—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the soup thickens too much after chilling, add a splash of half-and-half, milk, or broth to loosen it back to its original creamy consistency.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, the head of the vaccines arm, Vinay Prasad, has made unilateral policy changes that could limit access to certain shots, while also chilling investment in the sector.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing—trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
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The fabric drapes for a put-together look equally suitable for lounging on a couch, sitting on a plane, running errands, or having brunch with friends.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Spending time reading with, singing with, or playing games with close pals and family is at the heart of Danish happiness and hygge-ness.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Karen was last seen playing outside her home on January 11, 1996, according to CNN affiliate KOLD.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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