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 zips
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
David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 31 May 2026
Your 5th House of Creativity hums as emotional Moon opposes therapeutic Chiron in your 11th House of Friends, inviting balance between personal expression and group input.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
For instance, many partners have small gripes or annoyances with habits that are annoying at worst, but far from an outright red flag — like a partner that chews somewhat loudly, leaves cabinet doors open or hums constantly while working.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Libra September 23 – October 22 Libra, teamwork hums when roles feel fair.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
The broader economy hums along on the same frequency.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Her chicken hums with a gentle smokiness and a complex, fruity chile flavor that’s warm, rounded and highly addictive.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The Merchant Room, helmed by two-time James Beard Award-winner Gavin Kaysen, emerges just off the lobby and hums from morning through late evening.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The dining room hums with music, cocktails flow freely and the buzz builds as the morning turns into afternoon, hinting at Lavo’s reputation as the Strip’s original party brunch destination.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
Michelle Williams On a cool spring morning at Booker Vineyard in Paso Robles, California, a drone hums low over the Syrah block.
—Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
While Perseverance hums along at a feature known as the Jezero crater, about 2,300 miles East the Curiosity rover has been exploring the ancient Gale Crater since 2012.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
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, 8 May 2026
His body may be showing its age, but his mind still hums like the Big House before kickoff.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Now, with the case of Reiner, the machinery hums again.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
The name hums with nostalgia, and includes a placid nod to those coal-mining towns where people were paid in company scrip.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The desert air in Phoenix, Arizona hums a little louder during NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend.
—Ciara Lucas, SELF, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
This 1950s-era facility, one of five that turns out home appliances under familiar GE brands such as Hotpoint and Profile, is preparing to reclaim a manufacturing line that currently hums in China.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 31 May 2026
Your 5th House of Creativity hums as emotional Moon opposes therapeutic Chiron in your 11th House of Friends, inviting balance between personal expression and group input.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
For instance, many partners have small gripes or annoyances with habits that are annoying at worst, but far from an outright red flag — like a partner that chews somewhat loudly, leaves cabinet doors open or hums constantly while working.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Libra September 23 – October 22 Libra, teamwork hums when roles feel fair.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
The broader economy hums along on the same frequency.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Her chicken hums with a gentle smokiness and a complex, fruity chile flavor that’s warm, rounded and highly addictive.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The Merchant Room, helmed by two-time James Beard Award-winner Gavin Kaysen, emerges just off the lobby and hums from morning through late evening.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The dining room hums with music, cocktails flow freely and the buzz builds as the morning turns into afternoon, hinting at Lavo’s reputation as the Strip’s original party brunch destination.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Cobbled together as a mixtape from a collection of leaks—allegedly because Veeze was holding onto a payload of Carti tracks—the tape hums along with a looseness that could only come from not being edited to death.
—Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
Michelle Williams On a cool spring morning at Booker Vineyard in Paso Robles, California, a drone hums low over the Syrah block.
—Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
While Perseverance hums along at a feature known as the Jezero crater, about 2,300 miles East the Curiosity rover has been exploring the ancient Gale Crater since 2012.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
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, 8 May 2026
His body may be showing its age, but his mind still hums like the Big House before kickoff.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Now, with the case of Reiner, the machinery hums again.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
The name hums with nostalgia, and includes a placid nod to those coal-mining towns where people were paid in company scrip.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The desert air in Phoenix, Arizona hums a little louder during NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend.
—Ciara Lucas, SELF, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hums
Noun
-
Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
The Coburg Bar buzzes with a zappy, more visible, businesses-like energy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The surrounding area buzzes with energy during market hours.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Not to mention, your toiletry bag ends up far less chaotic and actually zips without a fight.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
-
But the few times they’re forced to play their hurt feelings sincerely are as forced as the moment when Grace zips her gory wedding gown back on before it’s even been washed.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There had been political whispers in South Windsor since the November election about whether the decision disqualifying Amadasun was part of a Republican ploy to keep Democrats from achieving a council supermajority.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
-
This might be as simple as a public argument – hissing whispers in an elevator.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.—
Stephen Trimble,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hums. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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