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
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
Helicopters whirred overhead throughout the weekend as Anaconda residents adjusted to daily life after the shooting.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 4 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
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
Helicopters whirred overhead throughout the weekend as Anaconda residents adjusted to daily life after the shooting.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
-
Those are the times when hotel occupancy dips and the hum of incoming visitors softens.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The soft hum of Italian streets and historic marble facades swelled with cinema’s finest during the Venice Film Festival, providing the perfect backdrop for a conversation that feels as timeless as the city itself.—
Bruna Nessif,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Evan Engram produces the franchise’s best season by a tight end since Julius Thomas in 2013 and 2014. Future Hall of Famer Drew Brees made Payton’s offenses purr in New Orleans.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That was the quiet whisper response to anybody who thought Biden shouldn’t run.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
For those who can already hear the whispers of falling leaves and detect the faint aroma of pumpkin spice, keep scrolling to shop our favorite finds from the launch.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Best case is glowing reviews and great buzz buoy the film’s relevance among moviegoers for one week after another.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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The murmur of medical machines in London is a far cry from the grinding buzz of Israeli drones in northern Gaza – where his two younger brothers, Muhammad, 14, and Yusuf, 12, are displaced.—
Christina Macfarlane,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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