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
Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In the quiet town of Shawnee, Oklahoma, the rapid whir of sewing machines fills one of the last surviving American garment factories.
—Jing Feng, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Owners gave up on cushioned seating, carpeting and thick curtains, and replaced them with concrete floors and high ceilings — not to mention open kitchens with clanging pots, whirring fans and bellowing chefs that added to the boisterous atmosphere.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
Three descendants of one of those original colonies were startled by the whir of Captain Brett’s fan motor and, with Busby Berkeley synchronicity, dived from the bank into the muddy water.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In the quiet town of Shawnee, Oklahoma, the rapid whir of sewing machines fills one of the last surviving American garment factories.
—Jing Feng, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
In Season 3, Sydney’s are more pronounced with whirring noises while Carmy’s are a bit more subdued.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Owners gave up on cushioned seating, carpeting and thick curtains, and replaced them with concrete floors and high ceilings — not to mention open kitchens with clanging pots, whirring fans and bellowing chefs that added to the boisterous atmosphere.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
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Both drinks start with gin, but while the Negroni uses Campari’s bright bitter orange for its trademark bitterness, the Remember the Alimony uses the broodier Cynar, similarly bitter but at a lower and more vegetal hum, flavored with, among other things, artichokes.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
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In Ruidoso, New Mexico, the pounding hooves of racehorses have entranced crowds from across Texas and New Mexico every summer, pumping in millions of dollars from the All-American Derby, Oaks and Futurity races and the steady hum of seasonal jobs that carry this mountain village.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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Best Dice Game For a purr-fectly good time with friends, roll the dice and let the games begin.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While an insider confirmed to Fox News Digital that there have been whispers of another woman, TMZ was first to report that the country star may already be involved with someone else.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Grzeda said the whisper PepsiCo detected in the early 2000s has become a roar, fueled by social media and growing consumer interest in ingredients.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Long before celebrity chefs and social media buzz, the city’s neighborhoods were dotted with coffee counters, family-run diners and grand dining rooms.—
Elissa Robinson,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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While his work in lower-profile films didn’t generate much buzz, the busy actor has seen more success on the small screen.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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