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
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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
-
Back at its Utah HQ, where the walls are lined with pink Crumbl University diplomas and the test kitchen hums with invention, the next big flavor is already in the oven.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Also like Lynch, Robinson’s onscreen world hums with quiet dread, a sense that something sinister lurks just beneath the veil of the everyday banal.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The air buzzes with nostalgia and pride as alumni return to the yard, reconnecting with old classmates, sharing stories, and celebrating the legacy that shaped them.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Spaces to roam are flanked by a central courtyard restaurant that buzzes with diners who feast over The House’s signature lobster pasta, moquecas (Brazilian fish stew), and cassava gnocchi.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 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
-
When cornerback Jalen Ramsey was still with the team, there were whispers around the facility that Ramsey and wide receiver Tyreek Hill were taking advantage of the freedoms they were given.—
Greg Liodice,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
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Castle Hill Inn is said to be haunted by a female ghost, and whispers have been heard and presences have been felt at The Jailhouse Inn, which served its namesake purpose from 1772 to 1986.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirs. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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