HUM Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

hum 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hum

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hum

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəm

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied one restaurant was humming with diners, while a neighboring eatery was practically empty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to buzz

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hum

Noun

Usually, the town’s namesake island, far down in downstate Illinois, is quiet enough to hear the hum of the barges droning along the Mississippi River. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The background hum comes from X-ray emissions detected by Chandra. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 July 2026

Verb

That shows underlying consumer demand continued to hum along last month. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Delray Beach is from late April through early June, when the city still hums with energy but sheds the intensity of peak season. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hum

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum

Noun

Wafting odors of 100-octane gasoline and rumbling purrs of V8 engines punched through the overcast morning at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday as the Velocity Invitational car meet entered its second day.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
But a growing body of research suggests some of the most therapeutic sounds on earth are already in your home — your cat’s purr, rain on the window, birdsong outside.

— Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026

Definition of purr

Verb

The building garnered buzz across town, particularly for breaking ground in an area that is still recovering from the effects of Covid-19.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026
The Philippines had 10 ships, three of which came from its coast guard; a small Philippine government propeller plane also buzzed low above the vessels during the mission.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of buzz

Noun

But even within the movie’s powerful melodrama sits a secondary tale of fascistic process, one that speaks truth to power through implication and whisper.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 July 2026
We're used to seeing the Galaxy Z Fold in a tall-and-skinny chassis, but this time around, whispers are growing louder about a new passport-style shape that's more reminiscent of the first-generation Google Pixel Fold.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

Okegbe recommends immediately discarding any can that’s bulging, leaking, heavily rusted, or dented.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026
An aneurysm is a weakened or bulging artery wall, and coiling is a procedure used to block blood flow to the aneurysm, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of bulge

Verb

The building appears to be still in the framing stage with workers making adjustments to the concrete pylons as cars zip past.

— Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
In peak summer heat, you may be tempted to have your furry friends tag along on road trips, runs to local waterways or just to zip through a drive-thru.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Definition of zip

Browse Nearby Words

hulls

hum

human

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Style

“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hum

noun

verb

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