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
Relevance
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
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
At the press of a button, the Pad-O-Matic whirs into life, spitting out perfect—and now marginally more convenient!—cryptographic security.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025
Brad Dress, The Hill, 26 Jan. 2025
Every few minutes the helicopters whirred overhead, back and forth, bringing loads of water to quench the wildfire that burned in Colorado’s Clear Creek Canyon.
—Hannah Provost, Outside Online, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
The traveling chain of support cleared downtown on its way to Placer County as its whirs faded and the quiet sounds of Marysville returned.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
At the press of a button, the Pad-O-Matic whirs into life, spitting out perfect—and now marginally more convenient!—cryptographic security.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
The work is already being done to meet the demands of the second Replicator phase, with factories, research labs and testing areas whirring to life across the country.
—Brad Dress, The Hill, 26 Jan. 2025
Every few minutes the helicopters whirred overhead, back and forth, bringing loads of water to quench the wildfire that burned in Colorado’s Clear Creek Canyon.
—Hannah Provost, Outside Online, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Verb
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By the 16th century, drone also came to mean a dull, continuous humming sound, and later, someone blindly follows orders similar to a bee.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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This is a humdinger of a pollinator plant, attracting not only humming bees and butterflies, but a host of other insects, too.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
In Boo's case, the loud purrs likely signal both comfort and a growing bond with her new human.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Her soft purrs and loving eyes will remind you every day that you are adored.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Both Louisiana singers luxuriate at the point where a whisper becomes a coo, and both have crafted gossamer pop with Swedish producers.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
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Here is what the judges had to say: Aromas of rich caramel and a whisper of spice.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Staying Grounded When The Stakes Are High Despite all the buzz and Al Ittihad’s unbeaten streak, Acuil remains remarkably unfazed by the idea of pressure.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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The brand has earned a ton of buzz in the past few years for producing clothes, bags, and other accessories with streamlined looks that are easy to style.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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