as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
the steady thrum of the turbines in the power plant
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Recent Examples of thrum
Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Copenhagen may be 5,200 miles away from Caracas, but the thrum of the helicopters that grabbed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will have been deafening in the Danish capital.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Tensions simmer throughout their convent visit, thrumming just barely below the surface.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrum
Noun
The thrum comes through clearly in the soundscape of the market, a cacophony of live animals, merchants, shoppers and roving musicians.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Copenhagen may be 5,200 miles away from Caracas, but the thrum of the helicopters that grabbed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will have been deafening in the Danish capital.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
As the women built a thrumming rhythm from their drums and began to chant while others danced, the Hula Halau ‘O Nalua and ‘Ote’a ‘Api School of Polynesian Dance seemed to teleport from the interior of an industrial park in Fremont to a Hawaiian island.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Tensions simmer throughout their convent visit, thrumming just barely below the surface.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrum
Noun
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The series, which stars Hall (Resurrection, Christine) as a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a persistent low hum that no-one else can hear, runs to five parts.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
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But the city's kitchens today hum with something new, thanks to a wave of creative energy that has reshaped the Colombian city over the past decade.—
Allie Lazar,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
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League sources have whispered since late October that Mosley’s job could be in jeopardy, and although Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman declined to make an in-season coaching change despite several puzzling lopsided defeats, the Magic announced Mosley’s dismissal Monday.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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And there’s already whispering that eventual new ownership will push for a remodeled ballpark to include a retractable roof.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Noun
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In its megacities and beyond, traffic is increasingly falling silent, the dull whir of the electric motor replacing the purr of an internal combustion engine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
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In DuPont Circle near the Hilton, an otherwise quiet night was disrupted by the scream of sirens and purr of helicopters.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gaga hisses to her hair and makeup team after Priestly swans away.—
Nigel Smith,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Mature geese have kept a close eye on the eggs, occasionally honking and hissing at those who have approached.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On the surface, such albums offer a fresh angle into an already familiar work, but businesswise, these sorts of extras nudge artists into new markets, nurturing buzz and providing an outlet for off-cycle income.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
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In response to the buzz around the photo, Kennedy took to X to further boast about his wildlife interactions.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
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But many questions went unanswered, frustrating many murmuring and grumbling attendees.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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True to form, the Boards of Canada resurrection has murmured to life so quietly that only the most obsessive of code breakers twigged it early on.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When placed in front of him, the child either cowers backward in fear and sighs with relief when it's turned off or uses the Force to deactivate it.—
Kirsten Acuna,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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Seeing her dad’s handwriting, Lally sighed.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most of us turn to mechanical fixes—air conditioners humming, ceiling fans whirring at full tilt.—
Nolan Lewis,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
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Shadows and strange sounds can set imaginations whirring—from the guttural roar of a hunting lion to the giggling calls of a feasting hyena pack.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrum. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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