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
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
In the ’80s, de-graffiti-fying and air conditioning the subways proclaimed to the world that New York was purring again.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 12 May 2025
The three of them shared head bonks, muzzle rubs, purrs, and cuddling!!
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Viewers online were able to see the cat resting on top of a warm bed, purring gently and looking toward his rescuer.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
In the ’80s, de-graffiti-fying and air conditioning the subways proclaimed to the world that New York was purring again.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Her soft purrs and loving eyes will remind you every day that you are adored.
—Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 12 May 2025
The three of them shared head bonks, muzzle rubs, purrs, and cuddling!!
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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In 2000, whispers of a 13-year-old phenom from Naperville, Ill. — a Chicago suburb — began reverberating through the AAU circuit.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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Still, whispers point to events spread across the Italian lagoon city, adding complexity to what would have been a massive logistical undertaking even on dry land.—
Paolo Santalucia,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The songs are not so much compositions as elliptical confessions, murmured rather than declared.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
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Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Because real branding isn’t about turning heads at the Met Gala or chasing clicks or shouting the loudest in the room.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The chief example of rudeness here is shouting admonishments at other opera patrons.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Birds chirped and traffic appeared normal — apart from the bustle at the local fire department in the center of town — as responders continued to manage the remains of the fireworks facility that exploded barely a mile away, just a few days before.—
Jake Goodrick
July 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
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Fever, Sun and some spicy beef Caitlin Clark, darling of the WNBA, is not afraid of chirping back.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The best shapewear provides support, feels comfortable, and stays in place without leaving you gasping for air by lunchtime.—
Michelle Rostamian,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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Still gasping for air, Saldivar was returned to her cell in a wheelchair, her head tipped back over the seat.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Parents recently spoke with experts to better understand how these camps can actually help counteract troubling trends among boys, and how families can make the best decision for them.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
27 June 2025
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The legendary filmmaker promised this on Thursday night in Los Angeles, speaking at an intimate and high-powered event where Universal Pictures unveiled a grand new screening room named for the director.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The crypto industry, considering its reputation for disrupting the legacy system, is actually breathing life back into it.—
Christopher Perkins,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Rising temperatures, amplified by climate change, are contributing to an increase in cases of sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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