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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purrs
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
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
-
The dining room hums with music, cocktails flow freely and the buzz builds as the morning turns into afternoon, hinting at Lavo’s reputation as the Strip’s original party brunch destination.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
-
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,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His career collapsed in 2017, when decades of Hollywood whispers about his behavior toward women became public accusations in news and social media.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The serene setting, where only the wind whispers through the pines, makes this remote ranch perfect for an unforgettable family escape.—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 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
-
This grand procession of Edmonia’s work is an act of reclamation—a gathering in her name that shouts through stone and into the eons.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
William shouts that someone DID come looking!—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The remark drew a mix of gasps, murmurs and laughs from others in the room.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Agnes gasps for breath as her imagination plays out terrible scenarios that she’s never been given words for.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
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 28 Apr. 2026.
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