as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
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Recent Examples of purrs
Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purrs
Noun
-
But if hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or plane hums keep you from getting some shut-eye, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ritual, cyclical movement hums in the cadences of McCraney’s at once rich and spare text.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Everyone rejoices as the earl raises the Stewart flag, but then whispers in superstitious fear when the finial falls off the top of the flagpole.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
26 Sep. 2025
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To convey alterations in tone, volume and emotion, a variable typeface is deployed, showing louder voices in a larger font and whispers in smaller text as well as different display options for pitch, non-speech sounds and music.—
Gus Alexiou,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Time Out rightly shouts out Isseido Booksellers, a two-story treasure trove of antique books.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Ben shouts out of his car window.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The River Coln murmurs gently here—weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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There have also been murmurs around Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler — but nothing more.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These are texts that hide their depth under a thick layer of flatulence jokes, loud guitars or Texas drawls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mixed with heartfelt moments and heartbreak, Crouch’s performance breathes life into a saga set in small-town America.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
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The costume department hustles to reattach a limping sole as the star breathes through the heat.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purrs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purrs. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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