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

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

And the whir of the midterms wasn’t far away. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Verb

Inside one of American Royal’s vast new barns, the smell of fresh paint still lingers as the hum of whirring drills and construction equipment fills the space just over 15 days until its first event on the new campus. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Visually, the entire set was stunning, with fast cuts of Nancy Whang pounding on her keyboard, Al Doyle whirring his synthesizer, and Murphy shouting into his microphone, wrapped around his arm. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026