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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hum
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The five-part series follows Hall's character, an English teacher who begins hearing a mysterious low hum that nobody else can detect.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The pros at the front desk keep things humming; Club Level guests, meanwhile, can check in even faster in a dedicated lounge—or right in their suites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Noun
Even within the walls of the apartment, there was the hum of the refrigerator, the soft ticking of a radio alarm clock and the clock in the VCR, the submarine tlack of the cassette reversing in the answering machine, and other little noises.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The five-part series follows Hall's character, an English teacher who begins hearing a mysterious low hum that nobody else can detect.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
The event may not be about politics, but politics will be humming in the background regardless.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The pros at the front desk keep things humming; Club Level guests, meanwhile, can check in even faster in a dedicated lounge—or right in their suites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
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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
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That detail has led researchers to wonder whether the purr is partly a self-healing mechanism, a body soothing itself from the inside out.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, hopping balls usually come with a weight limit to prevent users from bursting the ball and injuring themselves in the process.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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Juicy blueberries burst during baking, melding with the fresh peach juices for a gorgeous, saucy filling in this pie.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Taylor Swift creates buzz with a chic appearance at Electric Lady Studios in New York City on June 15.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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From development around a new freeway and industrial expansion to a chef’s TV win and an eco-friendly home, the Treasure Valley is buzzing with news this June.—
Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Those whispers turned into roars in the bottom of the fifth inning when PCA sent a screamer down the first-base line and cruised into second for a double.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Supportive leaders use that higher vantage point to warn, way find, and whisper.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The Babe’s advancing age and bulging midsection were the easy targets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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And, soon, the OCFA crew learns that one of three storage tanks at the plant — one that contains the chemical methyl methacrylate, or MMA — is bulging.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Not only without the ball, their were moments of real quality when Cape Verde recovered possession, zipping the ball around the Spanish pressure and often looking to play their way out with short passes into midfield.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Open the door to streets lined with trees and flecked with benches, where the bell of the light rail dings its warning as cyclists zip by on narrow roads.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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All were filled with Chenier’s murmuring accordion, the rustle of a washboard player and slinky grooves.—
Kevin McKeough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
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In a distant forest, the monument to his reckless fretwork rustles in the treetops and hums with beehives like the watts in a worn, weary amp burning, crackling for release.—
Tyehimba Jess,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Then whir that with ice in a blender.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
10 June 2026
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The production design closely resembled that of his recent Rolling Loud set and his in-progress Don’t Be Dumb tour, including a helicopter hanging from the top of the stage (its whirring blades could be heard between songs).—
Drew Cohen,
SPIN,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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