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
Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
The New Empire) plays Claire, a teacher who begins to hear a low hum that no one else around her seems to notice.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The iPhone’s strong results indicate a strong product cycle is underway, while the high-margin Services revenue stream continues to hum along.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Noun
One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags.
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
The New Empire) plays Claire, a teacher who begins to hear a low hum that no one else around her seems to notice.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Relatives hum around the graves, many of them women clad in the black ankle-length chadors favored by Iranian conservatives.
—Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The iPhone’s strong results indicate a strong product cycle is underway, while the high-margin Services revenue stream continues to hum along.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
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In previous years, the Puppy Bowl has featured a halftime purr-formance with shelter kittens, but there’s no word on whether a bunny will headline this year.—
Bee staff
February 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Marlin burst through the building yelling, according to several people working there that morning.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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After flooding and damage from bursting pipes worsened over the past week and a half at the troubled Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill, town officials officially condemned 200 apartments in the massive complex Thursday afternoon.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In San Juan and nearby communities, neighborhoods buzzed as the Super Bowl itself faded into the background and attention turned entirely to Bad Bunny’s 13 minutes on stage.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Seven buzzed the air above the three-compartment sink and three kept landing on a box of avocados next to the cookline.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As whisper listings become more common, discretion has turned into a form of value.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2026
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The role Landfair’s family members, including Sparkle, played in fostering her relationship with Kelly, even as whispers of their relationship became screams, is difficult to reckon with.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The kids froze mid-mouthful, eyes bulging in horror at the thought of having to witness such a thing in the company of their parents.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These small pets’ active and engaging behavior, from zipping around the tank and finding places to hide in solo play to following movement outside the tank in interactive play, can keep a kid’s attention.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
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The star didn’t zip around on wires and floating platforms to make sure big spenders in the stadium got an unobstructed view.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There’s something almost spiritual about walking among these giants—the cool air, the rustle of leaves, and the quiet hum of nature.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Birds call through the canopy, leaves rustle, and insects hum songs underneath sacred stillness.—
Natalie Preddie,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The partnership has helped keep its sewing machines whirring.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
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There’s also the noise issue, and the somewhat awkward reality of spinning rotors whirring dangerously above people in public places.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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