as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 purrs
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Take their purrs, for example, which are known to vibrate at frequencies that can reduce stress and soothe anxiety.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Murillo’s diagonal ball elicits audible purrs from the Peter Taylor Stand.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
This has translated into freakishly unstable songs that spin from garish wubs and witch folk to lullaby-like purrs.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Take their purrs, for example, which are known to vibrate at frequencies that can reduce stress and soothe anxiety.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Murillo’s diagonal ball elicits audible purrs from the Peter Taylor Stand.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
This has translated into freakishly unstable songs that spin from garish wubs and witch folk to lullaby-like purrs.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purrs
Noun
-
Deep into the Panamanian night, the forest hums with sound.—
Leonie Baier,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In Northern Virginia, known as Data Center Alley, some property owners have tried to escape continuous hums by selling their homes.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The linear texture and light-catching dimension evoke vintage elegance, resulting in a manicure that whispers old money.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Kristin Scott Thomas, star of Slow Horses, whispers that the production of The Cherry Orchard she and I chatted about last year, will now head into the West End in October.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and toggle Haptics off to stop those subtle buzzes that can feel like extra notifications.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
About halfway through our interview, Uchis’ phone buzzes.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Koy shouts, his excitement echoing in the stadium.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Mars in your expressive 5th house shouts to reactive Uranus in your 8th House of Inheritances.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Located at the foot of Petit Piton, guests are transported to a slice of tranquility, where the sound of a running stream murmurs in the background.—
Nneka M. Okona,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Tess murmurs, having had no idea that Alex, who works in finance, has started moonlighting in standup.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Purrs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purrs. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
