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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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The 1815 whispers its elevated status instead of making your wrist scream for attention, and is all the better for it.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ben shouts out of his car window.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
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Shannon shouts, her words drifting back to Jenn in the rear seat.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
12 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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Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes and can stay on surfaces for many hours after contact.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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And above all, treat visibility not as a one-time performance, but as a professional habit that breathes life into your career trajectory.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purrs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purrs. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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