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
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The latest research shows that years of hearing damage can silence quieter tones, such as the purr of a cat settling on your lap.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 1 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
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
The latest research shows that years of hearing damage can silence quieter tones, such as the purr of a cat settling on your lap.
—Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
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Schumann Resonance Time Acceleration Schumann resonances are natural, low-frequency electromagnetic hums that form in the cavity between Earth’s surface and the ionosphere (50-600 miles above the surface).—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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The lobby bar, meanwhile, hums as the social engine of the property.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Made up of a cozy microfiber fabric shell with polyester filling, the bedspread is ultra breathable for all-season use, skin friendly, and whisper quiet for a less disruptive night’s sleep.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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Originally from Ohio, Howard would whisper-speak his lectures to a crowded room, describing with fatigued superiority people (including his family) who couldn’t properly appreciate Nijinsky.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cali’s husband murmured beside her, nuzzled into her elbow.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
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An Indian woman in sports clothes walks past me murmuring an unbroken monologue into her phone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At one point, the same officer shouted at Ellis not to move.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Then, Suarez moved to another part of the field, where he is seen shouting, stepping on the foot of Sounders head of security Gene Ramirez and spitting on him.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Other than a slight 20-30% chance of rain along the lakefront Aug. 20, the sun will be shining and the birds chirping.—
Jack Albright,
jsonline.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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After all, the best elements of garden life can be enjoyed in a space the size of a shoe box: a whiff of lilac, a trellis along the wall, sunbeams shining your comfy lounge chair as the birds chirp….—
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans,
Architectural Digest,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The fears of my imagination, the possibility of losing a child due to one inattentive moment, all combined to leave me gasping for breath.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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After a moment, the woman gasped for air.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 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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Former Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons speaks to the media during a press conference, after being traded to the Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field on August 29, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Aug. 2025
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Children were playing, adults sat on their front porches, neighbors spoke to each other.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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