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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whir
IEEE Spectrum, 1 Apr. 2026
The record’s propulsive synths mimic the whirr of wheels on the road, mechanized background noise for a life and a mind that won’t be still.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026
Nolan Lewis, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
Woo walked slowly across the room, using a walker to stabilize his upper body, his steps a symphony of clunks and creaks and whirs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Apr. 2026
The record’s propulsive synths mimic the whirr of wheels on the road, mechanized background noise for a life and a mind that won’t be still.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Most of us turn to mechanical fixes—air conditioners humming, ceiling fans whirring at full tilt.
—Nolan Lewis, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
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Set the scene One of the very smartest hotel addresses in London, The Connaught Hotel’s energy crackles and fizzes from morning through night, with coming and goings, reunions, a hum of excitement and a permanent sense of occasion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The sound of chopping and plates clattering echoes through the open room, where conversation builds into a steady hum that fills every corner.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The Coburg Bar buzzes with a zappy, more visible, businesses-like energy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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Fans of the legendary designer and his whimsical, punk, off-kilter designs have been buzzing since the recent announcement that the Marc Jacobs Beauty brand would be making a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Wafting odors of 100-octane gasoline and rumbling purrs of V8 engines punched through the overcast morning at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday as the Velocity Invitational car meet entered its second day.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
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That detail has led researchers to wonder whether the purr is partly a self-healing mechanism, a body soothing itself from the inside out.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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