PURR Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

purr 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər

Definition of purr

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

purr

2 of 2

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

Noun

Cats also purr when they’re injured or stressed, not just content. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Her hair is a Veronica Lake-blond cascade, her voice a silky Southern purr. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 14 May 2026

Verb

While the video plays and the cat closes in on Bender ever-so-slowly, hen turkeys in the nearby pasture can be heard yelping and purring. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for purr

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr

Noun

Indeed, the team behind this research believes this hum of spacetime ripples could help explain how supermassive black holes grew so rapidly before the universe was even a billion years old.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The noise in Granbury, Texas, that started as a hum in the summer of 2023 had by January begun to disturb her at all hours.

— Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hum

Verb

That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Some people experience a faster heart rate and, in severe cases, can develop a heart murmur.

— Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of murmur

Verb

People in surrounding cars gawked, waved and, in one instance, rolled down their windows to shout something that went unheard, as Bonelli explained that the van had internal cameras that were always on but not always being watched.

— Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
When reporters shouted questions about the bombshell conversation, the future king at the time simply chuckled, remained silent and carried on walking.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

According to several people seated near Kanter Freedom, Alter said the former NBA player began chirping at Cloud throughout the quarter.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Palm trees abound; a perpetual breeze and a soundtrack of chirping birds complement the luscious grounds.

— Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of chirp

Verb

Loud, frequent snoring paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing may point to obstructive sleep apnea.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
Some of the more than 100 in attendance in the council chambers gasped or laughed when the town revealed that the fines have only amounted to $1,600 so far.

— Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of gasp

Verb

In the Arabic-speaking pic, Barhom stars as Hichem, a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who tries to provide a decent life for his wife Leila and little daughter Zineb.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Mays declined to speak to CNN but a friend and fellow lawyer, Richard Jaffe, passed along a statement from him.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of speak

Browse Nearby Words

purposively

purr

purred

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of purr

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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