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
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Fireflies blipped and burned out, and the cicadas joined in an incantation that crescendoed into an ancient whirr.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
As a drone whirred overhead and hooded people spray-painted the building and its fixtures, the protestors advocated for more civilly disobedient methods.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Fireflies blipped and burned out, and the cicadas joined in an incantation that crescendoed into an ancient whirr.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
As a drone whirred overhead and hooded people spray-painted the building and its fixtures, the protestors advocated for more civilly disobedient methods.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
-
In the early years of the automobile age, the quiet hum of electric motors, not the explosion of gasoline, seemed inevitable.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Richard Ruelas and Clara Migoya Outside Guthrie's red brick home, bird song was only interrupted by the hum of dozens of running engines from reporters' cars lining the street.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In San Juan and nearby communities, neighborhoods buzzed as the Super Bowl itself faded into the background and attention turned entirely to Bad Bunny’s 13 minutes on stage.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Seven buzzed the air above the three-compartment sink and three kept landing on a box of avocados next to the cookline.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For many of us, our truest Valentine has four legs, a wagging tail, a gentle purr or a happy chirp.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In previous years, the Puppy Bowl has featured a halftime purr-formance with shelter kittens, but there’s no word on whether a bunny will headline this year.—
Bee staff
February 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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