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
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Recent Examples of whirring
Across Milan and the Dolomites, two dozen drones are whirring slightly behind skiers, lugers and even speed skaters, bringing viewers across the world to the mountains and ice.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Olympics star-making machine has started whirring, and no sport is more ripe for some stars than curling.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The partnership has helped keep its sewing machines whirring.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
There’s also the noise issue, and the somewhat awkward reality of spinning rotors whirring dangerously above people in public places.
—New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Olympics star-making machine has started whirring, and no sport is more ripe for some stars than curling.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The partnership has helped keep its sewing machines whirring.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
There’s also the noise issue, and the somewhat awkward reality of spinning rotors whirring dangerously above people in public places.
—New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirring
Verb
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The Canadian engine at best-on-best just kept on humming Thursday.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Her Sunnyside restaurant feels like a celebration of cultures, flowing with fruit-forward cocktails, as tables share stews like the red lentil misir humming with heat and warmed with cardamom and cloves.—
Andrea Strong,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The café is spacious and softly buzzing, with quiet conversations carrying over from distant tables.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Tomato pie, buzzing with Pecorino and oregano, is also a must-order.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirring. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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