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
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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
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Recent Examples of hums
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 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
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
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
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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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
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On football weekends, the whole town buzzes with maroon pride, fans, and festive energy.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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Nyhavn’s vibrant waterfront dazzles with its iconic townhouses, while Vesterbro’s gritty-chic Meatpacking District buzzes with galleries and nightlife.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The results cast doubt on whether the plumes truly carry whispers of alien life, or merely echoes of lifeless chemistry on the frozen shell.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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And now, after years of whispers, Fred Armisen himself has confirmed that a Wednesday spinoff based on his Uncle Fester is officially in the works.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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The movie is a tour de force In IMAX, the format’s large screen and huge sound a perfect partner for the purple one’s charisma, which positively bursts off the screen.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hums. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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