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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of purr
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
This person was less than purr-fect.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The locals purr contentedly after an all-day shift at the pig farm: Let the little baby bird from the city settle in, make herself at home.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Geography and tragedy unite them, as does the purr of comfort inherent in their cooking.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
This person was less than purr-fect.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
But few of the directors who would join V/H/S over the years that followed introduced a more memorable creature — a birdlike demon who oscillates from purring affection to ravenous rage — or so skillfully tracked the running bodies captured by a running camera.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The locals purr contentedly after an all-day shift at the pig farm: Let the little baby bird from the city settle in, make herself at home.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
-
This can be thought of as the background hum of the universe from a host of more distant collision events underlying that loud crashing orchestra of relatively close massive black hole mergers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In every part of the world, someone is whispering in the ear of someone else that justice is near and that the fight is upon them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In Nguyen’s text, you will be guided by sure hands, as welcome storytelling is whispered in your ear.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meyers bent his head and murmured to Bria.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Located at the foot of Petit Piton, guests are transported to a slice of tranquility, where the sound of a running stream murmurs in the background.—
Nneka M. Okona,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once the pedestrians are out of the way, the car slowly pulls into the intersection before stopping again as the HSI agents approach, shouting instructions for the driver to stop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
As the brawl unfolded, the crowd could be heard shouting profanity.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Match the chirping birds and cheerier moods with a fun, fresh manicure.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Their exasperation with the officiating left the hosts chirping more at the officials than their rivals.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The View's audience gasped at the observation, which Haines strongly countered.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Iranian state television announcer was gasping for air.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The opposition’s mainstream leaders still mouth the catechism that change should come by Venezuelan hands, but more are openly courting external pressure to tilt the balance.—
Robert Muggah,
The Conversation,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump has also spoken out in defense of his handling of the various crises facing his administration — but not nearly with the sort of detail and solemnity that wartime presidents usually speak, experts said.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the 90 minutes the two spoke, Shaynak shared a number of details about his life that actually made it into the show.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
