as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples of purr in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024
Not to mention the purrs that greet them from Fig and Newton, the hospital’s two house cats.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
Josh Condon, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
Guests have reported feeling the cat brush up against their legs, purring meowing and scratching at doors.
—Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr 
Noun
One speaks meow and purr; the others stand tall in their pots and stretch upwards.
—Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024
Not to mention the purrs that greet them from Fig and Newton, the hospital’s two house cats.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024
Verb
The effect feels similar to a cat purring on your chest.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 13 June 2024
Guests have reported feeling the cat brush up against their legs, purring meowing and scratching at doors.
—Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'purr.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thesaurus Entries Near purr
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“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
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