Synonyms of hum

hum 1 of 2

noun

as in purr

a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion

we heard the hum of an outboard motor and a few minutes later the small craft came into sight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purr
• buzz
• whisper
• rustle
• whir
• drone
• thrum
• sigh
• murmur
• moan
• zoom
• chirr
• whiz
• churr
• gasp
• burr
• gurgle
• hiss
• babble
• coo
• susurration
• susurrus
• zip
• zing
• suspiration
• whish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roar
• scream
• shriek
• yell
• screech
• squeal
• howl
• squall
• yelp
• bawl

hum

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəm 

1

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied

one restaurant was humming with diners, while a neighboring eatery was practically empty

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• buzz
• bulge
• teem
• swarm
• abound
• crawl
• brim
• bustle
• overflow
• bristle
• pullulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• need
• want
• lack

2

as in to buzz

to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound

a helicopter hummed overhead

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzz
• whisper
• zip
• whir
• hiss
• burr
• murmur
• drone
• whistle
• sigh
• whiz
• zoom
• purr
• bumble
• whish
• thrum
• chirr
• coo
• rustle
• churr
• fizz
• whoosh
• swish
• wheeze
• sizzle
• curr

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hum

Noun

Their Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation effectively quiets daily transit hums and crowded office chatter, while custom 40mm drivers pump out rich acoustics backed by customizable Ultra Bass tuning. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

Inside one of American Royal’s vast new barns, the smell of fresh paint still lingers as the hum of whirring drills and construction equipment fills the space just over 15 days until its first event on the new campus. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Whatever people’s personal beliefs about the technology, the money going into it is keeping the world’s biggest economy humming. — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

To build the president’s White House ballroom, roughly 250 workers have been pouring concrete and installing steel framework, keeping the site humming for 20 hours a day, seven days a week. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026