as in humming
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whirring
Cool blue-white LEDs lined the room’s windows, while yellow heavy-duty power outlets hung from the ceiling over rows of desks where students will learn how to maintain the servers whirring behind them.
—
Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
Expect the line blender to keep whirring as the series goes on.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Blade grinders function more like blenders, frantically whirring in circles, mangling the beans, and tossing them all over the grinding chamber.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026
There are no air conditioners whirring behind the walls.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Most of us turn to mechanical fixes—air conditioners humming, ceiling fans whirring at full tilt.
—Nolan Lewis, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026
Shadows and strange sounds can set imaginations whirring—from the guttural roar of a hunting lion to the giggling calls of a feasting hyena pack.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
In this case, a genteel woman’s tradition is set against the sound of military helicopters whirring overhead.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Surely, Bobby Jones must be spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his final resting place, and while the co-founder of the stately club lies some 143 miles to the east of Amen Corner, the patrons should be able to pick up on the whirring noises if the wind’s blowing the right way.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
Expect the line blender to keep whirring as the series goes on.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Blade grinders function more like blenders, frantically whirring in circles, mangling the beans, and tossing them all over the grinding chamber.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026
There are no air conditioners whirring behind the walls.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Most of us turn to mechanical fixes—air conditioners humming, ceiling fans whirring at full tilt.
—Nolan Lewis, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026
Shadows and strange sounds can set imaginations whirring—from the guttural roar of a hunting lion to the giggling calls of a feasting hyena pack.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
In this case, a genteel woman’s tradition is set against the sound of military helicopters whirring overhead.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Surely, Bobby Jones must be spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his final resting place, and while the co-founder of the stately club lies some 143 miles to the east of Amen Corner, the patrons should be able to pick up on the whirring noises if the wind’s blowing the right way.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirring
Verb
-
That's what an increasing number of Americans are saying about data centers, huge, energy-sapping, constantly humming, resource-draining facilities needed to power artificial intelligence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The event may not be about politics, but politics will be humming in the background regardless.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
There’s no music overhead, but the buzzing blend of conversations makes for its own iconic orchestra.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
But in 2022, the barrier was breached, and the flies have been relentlessly buzzing northward since.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirring. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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