Synonyms of whir

whir 1 of 2

noun

variants also whirr

as in hum

a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion

a whir coming from the refrigerator

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hum
• purr
• buzz
• whisper
• rustle
• thrum
• drone
• sigh
• zoom
• whiz
• murmur
• chirr
• moan
• gasp
• churr
• burr
• gurgle
• babble
• hiss
• coo
• susurrus
• susurration
• zip
• zing
• suspiration
• whish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roar
• scream
• shriek
• screech
• yell
• squeal
• howl
• squall
• yelp
• bawl

whir

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər 

variants also whirr

as in to hum

to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound

the hummingbird whirred as it hovered over a flower

our tires whirred as we traveled over the rough road

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hum
• buzz
• zip
• whisper
• burr
• hiss
• whiz
• drone
• murmur
• zoom
• sigh
• purr
• whistle
• bumble
• thrum
• whish
• chirr
• coo
• rustle
• whoosh
• churr
• swish
• fizz
• sizzle
• wheeze
• curr

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of whir

Noun

The whirr of dozens of sewing machines working at once fills the stark, concrete room. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

And the whir of the midterms wasn't far away. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

Verb

And if at times the movie comes off as a bit decorous and stiff, the actors, particularly Edgar-Jones and Creed-Miles, do their best to keep the proceedings whirring. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Before the meeting started, an attendee asked a DEC employee by the sign-in table about the large industrial fans built into the gym’s walls, which were whirring noisily. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026