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
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rehabilitation facility in Geed Deeble, Somaliland, shared a video of the cub purring behind some wild grass.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 July 2025
Similarly, another woman, navigating the recent passing of her own cat, found solace in the gentle purrs of potential new companions, encouraged by friends to embrace the healing presence a new feline could offer.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Japanese scientists linked androgen-receptor genes to types of purring in cats and discovered the gene that makes cats orange.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The rehabilitation facility in Geed Deeble, Somaliland, shared a video of the cub purring behind some wild grass.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
Liam sounds ferociously on-form, his nasal snarl infused with a malevolent purr.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 July 2025
Similarly, another woman, navigating the recent passing of her own cat, found solace in the gentle purrs of potential new companions, encouraged by friends to embrace the healing presence a new feline could offer.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
-
Those are the times when hotel occupancy dips and the hum of incoming visitors softens.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
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The soft hum of Italian streets and historic marble facades swelled with cinema’s finest during the Venice Film Festival, providing the perfect backdrop for a conversation that feels as timeless as the city itself.—
Bruna Nessif,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Korean Cinema’s Crisis Was the Headline Far from being whispered about in corridors, Korean cinema’s crisis was front and center throughout BIFF, with industry leaders using the platform to openly diagnose challenges and seek solutions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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For the next eight years, the PTC — a group that clearly had a social agenda — had the opportunity to whisper in the ears of commissioners from the FCC, a group that by both history and mandate clearly did not.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The music cuts off, and, gradually, everyone leaves, murmuring about a rave happening not too far away.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
18 Sep. 2025
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Customers in the Dunkin’ have a similar response, murmuring and looking over their shoulders for the Accountant 2 actor.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some tried wrapping Rojas’ bleeding leg with a shirt; others shouted out advice.—
April Quevedo,
jsonline.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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The crew is dancing and there is a pile of three different kinds of currency on the table, while voices shout and beer bottles jingle as the bus rolls through the ancient Denmark night headed for Germany.—
Jonathan Terrell,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sean Payton was chirping at Bonitto on the sidelines.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
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From organized team activities to the early days of training camp, Horn constantly chirped at quarterback Bryce Young in an effort to throw him off his game.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ripa exclaimed after the audience gasped.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Sep. 2025
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Voices gasped, exhaled for a beat, then rose up in screams of horror.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As in the never-ending parade of ostensibly Christian exorcism movies, religious belief here seems like a superficial excuse for a stock array of supernatural hoodoo — no matter how many times Chalik’s Abuyya pauses the action to mouth some healing doctrine.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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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
Verb
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Fireworks spouted directly beyond the stage where the president and others spoke, which had online critics questioning the need for them.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
23 Sep. 2025
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About five days later, Madrigal convinced Hernandez to go to the same ranch, telling her that her husband was there and wanted to speak with her, according to the plea agreement.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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