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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Her plush cat, with a pillow-like body and realistic purr, will be sold direct to consumer on her website.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, Kathryn purrs an invitation from the bedroom.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
It’s been replaced by a soothing purr where nearly every syllable is clear.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Her plush cat, with a pillow-like body and realistic purr, will be sold direct to consumer on her website.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
There’s also a theory that kittens born to a feral mother are discouraged from purring to prevent attracting the attention of predators.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, Kathryn purrs an invitation from the bedroom.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
-
Just look at the recent scrutiny of Michelle Obama, who faced months of rumors and divorce whispers for simply choosing to bow out of certain aspects of public life.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
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Devastated by the carnage around him and the heart-wrenching duty of telling his quasi-stepson, Jake (Taj Speights), that his girlfriend (Sloan Mannino) died in the shooting, Robby sank to the floor of the pediatrics room, sobbing and whispering the Shema prayer to himself.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Certainly, nothing on the menu or in the service seemed to communicate anything beyond polished, murmuring attentiveness.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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On Saturday evening, teenagers from a Catholic religious group known as the Salesians stood in a circle, murmuring quiet prayers for the pope's health.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Chaos ensues when Fred Armisen's auctioneer unveils the painting, prompting everyone else in the room to shout, vomit, and self-harm, including Samberg's then-castmates Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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In video shared by The Associated Press, Grassley faces a room of Iowans who are at times shouting in disagreement about some of the Trump administration's policies.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With flowers blooming and birds chirping, war feels distant, although the closest front line is a short drive away.—
Dominique Soguel,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 Apr. 2025
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The clip follows with a series of shots filmed inside the cave – a world first – as chicks chirp for their moms and dads, and would-be parents wander around looking for love.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The audience gasped at the first snippet, a soundless rendering of the moment when the vampire Remmick first appears.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Nope, not breathless, not gasping for air, not completely winded.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump spoke after a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to USA TODAY.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Why not speak to Tzarina and check if there would be time on Alesia’s schedule to help clean up?—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In March 2023, Francis was again taken to the hospital after experiencing intense chest pain and difficulty breathing.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Step 3: Blush Adding blush breathes life into skin and really completes your base.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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