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
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of purr
Bee Staff
february 6, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Geography and tragedy unite them, as does the purr of comfort inherent in their cooking.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
In previous years, the Puppy Bowl has featured a halftime purr-formance with shelter kittens, but there’s no word on whether a bunny will headline this year.
—Bee Staff
february 6, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Geography and tragedy unite them, as does the purr of comfort inherent in their cooking.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Two years later, a long-haired white Persian appeared in From Russia With Love, purring from the lap of the Bond villain Blofeld.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
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,
15 Apr. 2026
-
There was the low, constant hum of conversation, the clink of tea glasses.—
Barry Hoffner,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
July 23 – August 22 The horizon is whispering your next lesson.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Jones whispered for me and Dew to step away from the door.—
Josh Owens,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The remark drew a mix of gasps, murmurs and laughs from others in the room.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ludwig murmured, the mist outside the window mostly covering the mountain.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Is there a polite way to ask her to address this, short of shouting or splashing?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Biff shouts at him at the show’s excruciating climax) sways between light and dark, between the road and the deadly shoulder, advancing through his last hours on earth as if through the stations of the cross.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sound of cars has disappeared in the wealthy El Vedado neighborhood, where the soundscape of chirping birds has reemerged.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Since buying controlling interest of the club, Overland Park billionaire Peter Mallouk has been vocal about spending money to make the club better, even chirping in some fan social media comments.—
PJ Green
April 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Agnes gasps for breath as her imagination plays out terrible scenarios that she’s never been given words for.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
When Harari told the same story on The Daily Show, the audience gasped.—
Amanda Gefter,
Quanta Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Or to sometimes instinctively mouth the words to Christmas carols the kids sang to him with tears or confusion in their eyes.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Just two months ago, multi-generation cattle rancher Joe Fischer spoke about the pressures of keeping his operation running.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Today, however, parents can receive updates immediately and respond just as quickly — sometimes before even speaking with their child.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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