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
Instead of being filled with whirring and grinding, the air is quiet, as workers in dozens of open-air cubicles assemble tiny electronic parts under microscopes.
—
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Felipe’s Heladería hums with a nostalgic rhythm—whirring blenders, clinking spoons, and that telltale chorus of people debating toppings.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The Harlan Coben Netflix machine that brought the world Fool Me Once keeps on whirring.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Earthlings have listened in to the rover's wheels crunching over the Martian surface and the whirring blades of its no-longer-flying helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
In an ambulance, Dunn's mind was whirring.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Full of creative improvisations and whirring beats, her first album since 2017’s Halo is both another forward step in her career and a great entry point for anyone who’s never listened to Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Part of the appeal of drones as hazing tools, however, is that the whirring sound of the rotors is already scary enough for most bears.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Felipe’s Heladería hums with a nostalgic rhythm—whirring blenders, clinking spoons, and that telltale chorus of people debating toppings.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The Harlan Coben Netflix machine that brought the world Fool Me Once keeps on whirring.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Earthlings have listened in to the rover's wheels crunching over the Martian surface and the whirring blades of its no-longer-flying helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
In an ambulance, Dunn's mind was whirring.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Full of creative improvisations and whirring beats, her first album since 2017’s Halo is both another forward step in her career and a great entry point for anyone who’s never listened to Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Part of the appeal of drones as hazing tools, however, is that the whirring sound of the rotors is already scary enough for most bears.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirring
Verb
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And the huge investments — in data centers, energy, and other infrastructure — are keeping the US economy humming, keeping foreign and domestic investors pouring billions into the country, and keeping Americans’ stock portfolios healthy.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
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The future Hall of Fame quarterback has the Rams' offense humming.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fans were buzzing Thursday evening at a playoff pep rally at the Wintrust Sports Complex in southwest suburban Bedford Park, where the village hosted a Ben Johnson lookalike contest.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The top line with Viggo Bjorck and Stenberg was buzzing.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirring. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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