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
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
The production wears its metaphors lightly with a wink and a purr.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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 DuPont Circle near the Hilton, an otherwise quiet night was disrupted by the scream of sirens and purr of helicopters.
—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
The production wears its metaphors lightly with a wink and a purr.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Their first conversation is comically lopsided, and McKellen, purring his way through what is effectively a monologue, lays the groundwork for his most vividly inhabited and hilariously irascible performance in years.
—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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
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Even when guitarist Kurt Ballou’s noise screeches over the top, the low end remains like a persistent hum.
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The town's hospital hums with constant activity, marking the scale of the outbreak in the town.
Verb
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The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
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The lyrics are both whispered and nearly shouted.
Verb
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Or at least squeezed in a solid couch nap with baseball/golf/soccer/primo history programming murmuring in the background.
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Yoon murmurs something into her ear.
Verb
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The shot sailed over the bar before England keeper Jordan Pickford shouted at his defenders, clearly displeased with the lack of resistance in their own half.
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Hundreds of people have gathered throughout the week to carry posters, shout slogans, and sing.
Verb
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Sometimes crickets chirped in my head.
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As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.
Verb
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Sometimes poetry leaves the cinema behind, gasping for breath.
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Zendaya was visibly shocked at first, gasping and clasping her hands over her face, but got into the performance, laughing and dancing along as Holland came over to dance on her.
Verb
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Trump has been willing to mouth these words.
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To sterilize empty jars, set them mouth up on the rack in a boiling-water canner.
Verb
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Jolly and Mozeliak are scheduled to speak at a news conference on Saturday.
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Then, Zito and coach Paul Maurice spoke to fans.
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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