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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
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
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025
The parks will be packed and the highways will be humming in Arkansas over the Memorial Day weekend, according to state officials.
—Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Another question is who is going to man these production lines that Trump sees humming away.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 May 2025
By the 16th century, drone also came to mean a dull, continuous humming sound, and later, someone blindly follows orders similar to a bee.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hum
Verb
The push-pull of the protagonists’ bond keeps the film humming along, both in ludicrous and heartfelt moments.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025
The parks will be packed and the highways will be humming in Arkansas over the Memorial Day weekend, according to state officials.
—Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Another question is who is going to man these production lines that Trump sees humming away.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 May 2025
By the 16th century, drone also came to mean a dull, continuous humming sound, and later, someone blindly follows orders similar to a bee.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
-
In a clever flex of corporate synergy, Apple promoted its first summer blockbuster with the release of a haptic trailer that imitates the purr of an F1 engine in the palms of your hands.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
17 June 2025
-
Baldwin’s husky purr of a voice sets the table for the events of the film, before settling back to pop in every now and then with an omniscient insight or unspoken truth.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Fort Erie bursts with American tourists in the summertime, but today is empty on a gray May morning.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
-
France’s Nolan Traoré, who burst onto the international scene after sparkling at the 2024 Hoop Summit, was thought of as a potential high lottery pick this time last year, but an inconsistent season playing for Saint-Quentin in France’s LNB Pro A League has slowed his roll.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
This famous old cricketing arena was buzzing with anticipation at the first sight in this series of the biggest danger to England’s hopes and the biggest box office attraction of five Tests in the next six weeks.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Throughout the day, The Schomburg Center buzzed with energy.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Every new headline—whether a cease-fire whisper or another drone strike—moves Brent and insurance quotes long before drilling rigs or pipelines can respond.—
Guney Yildiz,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Jane spoke barely above a whisper to an attentive jury throughout her afternoon testimony.—
Larry Neumeister,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
If the surface bulges outward at that point, then the flow moves inward.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Photos posted online showed the snake arrived at a Virginia animal hospital with a bulging body.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
When that harmony hits, the sale becomes a symphony: the crack of the register, the rustle of the bag, the quiet thrill of being chosen.—
Joel Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
There was no answer, just a footstep behind him and the rustle of a dress.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
There’s something uniquely elegant about a sporty jacket with a stand collar or funnel neck zipped right to the top, with material slightly shrouding the chin.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
-
Its political musings are straightforward, but their overt nature allows the movie to play out in the form of a saccharine, campy, musically-tinged comedy that zips by, never overstaying its welcome.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
Almost from the moment movie cameras first started whirring in China, filmmakers have flocked to Shanghai.—
Mathew Scott,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
-
The lights were off, and the overhead projection screen illuminated by a whirring tan-and-gray reel of film that 9-year-old Marcus Sedberry handled while standing in the back of the classroom.—
Jesse Temple,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share