as in purrs
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in whirrs
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
a helicopter hummed overhead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hums
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Ritual, cyclical movement hums in the cadences of McCraney’s at once rich and spare text.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Schumann Resonance Time Acceleration Schumann resonances are natural, low-frequency electromagnetic hums that form in the cavity between Earth’s surface and the ionosphere (50-600 miles above the surface).
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
The city pulses with ambition—as Education City hums with global ideas, and Katara hosts opera under the stars.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
While the major theories of consciousness differ in many ways, most agree that consciousness arises when enough of the brain’s cortex — the outermost layer, responsible for high-level functions such as thought and memory — hums in coordinated harmony.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
The porch smells faintly of lime and ginger, and the house hums the way houses do when a good conversation has just ended.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The sound of K-pop also hums through the other magical elements of the film, especially HUNTR/X’s weapons and the strange familiars that Rumi and Ji-noo (Ahn Hyo-seop) use to communicate with each other across enemy lines.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
In late spring, the city hums with farmers’ markets, craft beer events and bike rides along blooming lakefront paths.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Windom neighborhood still hums with late-August cicadas and sparrows, the sounds of summer carrying on as always.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Other must-tries include the Greek specialties, cemented by founder and late entrepreneur Pete Contos, as well as a seat at the classic diner counter that hums with an energy like no other.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
But if hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or plane hums keep you from getting some shut-eye, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Ritual, cyclical movement hums in the cadences of McCraney’s at once rich and spare text.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Schumann Resonance Time Acceleration Schumann resonances are natural, low-frequency electromagnetic hums that form in the cavity between Earth’s surface and the ionosphere (50-600 miles above the surface).
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
The city pulses with ambition—as Education City hums with global ideas, and Katara hosts opera under the stars.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
While the major theories of consciousness differ in many ways, most agree that consciousness arises when enough of the brain’s cortex — the outermost layer, responsible for high-level functions such as thought and memory — hums in coordinated harmony.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Once a sleepy town, Hudson has reinvented itself as a trend-forward haunt that draws New Yorkers seeking tranquility—yet still hums with a lively energy.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
The porch smells faintly of lime and ginger, and the house hums the way houses do when a good conversation has just ended.
—Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The sound of K-pop also hums through the other magical elements of the film, especially HUNTR/X’s weapons and the strange familiars that Rumi and Ji-noo (Ahn Hyo-seop) use to communicate with each other across enemy lines.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
In late spring, the city hums with farmers’ markets, craft beer events and bike rides along blooming lakefront paths.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Windom neighborhood still hums with late-August cicadas and sparrows, the sounds of summer carrying on as always.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Other must-tries include the Greek specialties, cemented by founder and late entrepreneur Pete Contos, as well as a seat at the classic diner counter that hums with an energy like no other.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hums
Noun
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But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Come fall, the Mediterranean still buzzes with open-air cafés and seaside markets, perfect for lingering over fresh seafood with local wine.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
26 Sep. 2025
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The room buzzes with more than just heat-seeking curiosity—there’s a sense of excitement for the place on its own terms.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While an insider confirmed to Fox News Digital that there have been whispers of another woman, TMZ was first to report that the country star may already be involved with someone else.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Early whispers of possibly being in the mix as a potential sixth man of the year candidate are tossed around.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sedona Sedona is another popular fall break destination for many reasons, least of all being Oak Creek Canyon, which bursts with color during the autumn months.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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As Alien fans know, the facehugger will impregnate its host with a Xenomorph embryo, which eventually bursts from the host's chest.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hums. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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