whiz 1 of 3

variants or whizz
1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the whiz of an arrow flying by at an uncomfortably close range

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2

whiz

2 of 3

noun (2)

whiz

3 of 3

verb

variants or whizz
1
as in to whistle
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ just hearing the bullets whiz as they fly by their heads must be terrifying for soldiers

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to buzz
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound many vehicles were whizzing past us at breakneck speeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whiz
Noun
Twenty-one-year-old Audrey, a math whiz who works in the tax office, is engaged to a young doctor colleague of her father’s. Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 May 2025 This year, North added Max St. John, a numbers whiz from the University of Virginia to the group, which also includes Hans Schroeder, Dawn Aponte, Onnie Bose, Blake Jones, Lucy Popko, Josh Helmrich and Matthew Winston. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
Following a racetrack crash, Nadia Monroy (Stephanie Honoré) has her head smashed in by a spinning tire that whizzes right out of the stadium and into her face. Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025 These robotic photographers, whizzing through orbit at 28,000 kilometers per hour, seemed to change the world—and the war—overnight. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for whiz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiz
Verb
  • Michael Boxall was whistled for penalty for his right foot apparently hitting the right leg of Houston’s Sebastian Kowalczyk in stoppage time.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 June 2025
  • Parker grew up in nearby Summit and was the cousin of Emmett Till, who was murdered by Southern racists in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The notifications buzzing in her back pocket were becoming more frantic, arriving every few minutes now.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • At home, appliances hum, HVAC systems cycle, lawn mowers and leaf blowers buzz outside, and doorbells, phones, and televisions interrupt the quiet.
    Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Tinnitus causes persistent sounds such as ringing, hissing, buzzing or whooshing in the ears.
    Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
  • Despite the protective parents hissing, Henry persisted and was ultimately able to guide the goslings toward a safer way out.
    Seth Carnell, USA Today, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • When Walt Disney World reopens its Test Track attraction at Epcot, visitors can expect a new look and a new future-pointed emphasis during the indoor-outdoor ride that zooms over theme park goers.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • Gathered at the Costa Rica Media Market, Latin American industry leaders took the temperature of the independent film scene in the region, zooming into how to successfully enter major markets such as the U.S. and Europe, as well as how to foment and grow local burgeoning industries.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • So finalize your flights, grab your wallets, and shop away before these early Fourth of July deals fizzle out.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • After the fights fizzled out, Nurse, Godjovich, Bennett, Frederic, Greer and Ekholm were all called for game misconducts and sent off the ice for the remainder of the game.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Bats are amazing creatures that zip through the night skies on a mission: To hunt and devour insects.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • Sturdy pieces zip together to closely resemble a traditional mattress.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Reps for Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry are hoping to swish, swish speculation about the nature of their relationship away.
    EW.com, EW.com, 3 July 2025
  • Over at Isabel Marant, Glastonbury-ready fringe dresses, tops, and mini skirts effortlessly swished back and forth down the catwalk.
    Kelsey Stewart, Refinery29, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The summer job may be a myth of bygone era The U.S. hiring cooldown is casting a chill over a teen summer job market that has sizzled the past few years.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 2 July 2025
  • Every Fourth of July, the skies glow with fireworks, grills sizzle with burgers, and highways fill with millions of travelers eager to enjoy America’s Independence Day.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiz. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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