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
The glint and thrum of Y2K aesthetics—as contrasted with the droning conservatism of the white-collar office—read as anticipatory rather than melancholic, looking toward a future liberated from systems of old.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
Verb
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Getting Matthews humming with confidence and getting that shot off is part of what the Leafs need right now.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Massive defense spending has propped up growth, kept factories humming, and pushed unemployment lower, while Moscow has relied on allies like China for goods no longer available from the West.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Difficulty accelerating, misfiring, shuttering, and rough idling can indicate bad gasoline.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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Shopkeepers lightheartedly gossip in rich drawling accents, and pickup trucks make up the majority of the vehicles idling at one of the few stoplights in town.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There’s a fine line between obtrusive service, with servers buzzing like flies around the table, and inattentive service.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Rising high above the city’s buzzing Paseo South Gulch district, Pendry Nashville marks a high-design moment for Nashville’s fast-evolving skyline.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The film — part chilling revenge thriller and part absurd slapstick — is riveting.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Shared in October by u/pizzalogdong, the pictures show the gray tabby comfortably chilling inside a carrier, as her kittens are wrapped up in warm blankets by the poster.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With sizes ranging from 0 to 20 and four different inseam options (19, 23, 25, and 28 inches), these lightweight and sweat-wicking leggings are perfect for everything from lounging to long workouts, with plenty of space to keep your essentials in easy reach.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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The extra-wide, contoured seat and tall backrest make lounging effortless, while the 450-pound weight capacity adds peace of mind.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite playing before halftime, Scheierman and Walsh were not put back on the court again until the final seconds.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Investigators pointed to a March 23, 2023, game involving Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
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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
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She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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