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
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
February 13, 2026By Robert Draper More than a year into a cease-fire, the mechanical whir of Israeli drones above the Lebanese capital is a reminder that, in many ways, the war never really ended.
—Robert Draper Diego Ibarra Sanchez Andrew Higgins Lydia Polgreen, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
In a demo at CES 2026, Bluetooth SIG marketing VP Dave Hollander set an unlock distance on a phone across the room from a Bauer smart lock—then walked within 2 feet of the lock, leading its deadbolt to whir into the retracted position.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
The whir of science meets the wonder of nature and this charming, gorgeously shot ode to discovery (both on Earth and out there) makes one hope the motion picture academy sees fit to recognize more imaginative nonfiction works going forward.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
February 13, 2026By Robert Draper More than a year into a cease-fire, the mechanical whir of Israeli drones above the Lebanese capital is a reminder that, in many ways, the war never really ended.
—Robert Draper Diego Ibarra Sanchez Andrew Higgins Lydia Polgreen, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
This vast bundle of life and existence whirrs continually, creating the comforting harmonic tone that defines this place.
—Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
In a demo at CES 2026, Bluetooth SIG marketing VP Dave Hollander set an unlock distance on a phone across the room from a Bauer smart lock—then walked within 2 feet of the lock, leading its deadbolt to whir into the retracted position.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
-
The Merchant Room, helmed by two-time James Beard Award-winner Gavin Kaysen, emerges just off the lobby and hums from morning through late evening.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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One of these experiment models, ABRACADABRA, employs high-sensitivity radio to capture the faint hum of axion’s oscillating magnetic fields thanks to the close cooperation of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Joe is lording over his fiefdom from his den, designed in perfect Don Corleone-chic decor, when his fax machine buzzes to life.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
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TopicsWedding Inspiration The Met Gala buzz starts now.—
Rebecca Cope,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The production wears its metaphors lightly with a wink and a purr.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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On most days, the surf is loud enough to mask the steady purr of cars.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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