variants
also whirrs
as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
a whir coming from the refrigerator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also whirrs
as in buzzes
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 whirs
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
A lot of this stuff follows the same thread, often steeped in vintage synth drones, whirrs, and buzzes that evoke the turn-of-the-Eighties sci-fi futurism the first TRON movie embodied back in 1982.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirs
Noun
-
But if hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or plane hums keep you from getting some shut-eye, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ritual, cyclical movement hums in the cadences of McCraney’s at once rich and spare text.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Come fall, the Mediterranean still buzzes with open-air cafés and seaside markets, perfect for lingering over fresh seafood with local wine.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The room buzzes with more than just heat-seeking curiosity—there’s a sense of excitement for the place on its own terms.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirs. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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