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
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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
-
Set the scene One of the very smartest hotel addresses in London, The Connaught Hotel’s energy crackles and fizzes from morning through night, with coming and goings, reunions, a hum of excitement and a permanent sense of occasion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The sound of chopping and plates clattering echoes through the open room, where conversation builds into a steady hum that fills every corner.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Others capture the couple kissing and Porter smiling as his fiancé whispered something in his ear.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Klay Thompson’s name was whispered in Oklahoma City for a decade following a Game 6 rampage for the ages.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
His teammates murmur in agreement.—
Natalie Escobar,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
But many questions went unanswered, frustrating many murmuring and grumbling attendees.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He was menaced in the English countryside last month by a man shouting at him from 50 yards away, according to British outlet The Telegraph.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2026
-
The leads can be overwrought, shouting lines across the stage while the Gothic-style doorways, sharp directional lighting and ooh-ahh practical effects do their complicated dance.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The birds chirped a little bit louder.—
Tracy Smith,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
And yet the Broncos followed an AFC Championship Game loss with an offseason of crickets chirping.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Another video shows Wallen walking back towards the piano, as the audience gasps and cheers in response.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
The crowd gasped, then erupted in cheers.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
To sterilize empty jars, set them mouth up on the rack in a boiling-water canner.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
12 May 2026
-
Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Serna and Hulst never got the chance to speak one last time.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The person requested anonymity because they're not permitted to speak publicly about the confidential discussions.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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