whiz 1 of 3

variants or whizz
Definition of whiznext
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)

variants or whizz
1
as in to hiss
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

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

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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
Since the project’s 2023 launch, its hard-charging CEO Jeff Yan (check out Fortune’s profile of the Harvard grad and physics whiz here) has been content to use an offshore cowboy model to grow Hyperliquid. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 Melissa Jenkins recently told The Tennessean that her mom was a gardener and a whiz in the kitchen known for her down-home cooking, specializing in dishes like meat loaf, friend chicken, and macaroni and cheese. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
In an open field, arrows whizzed through the humid June air and struck their targets. — Lydia McFarlane, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 There’s no better view than from whizzing over the water on these scenic bridges. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiz
Noun
  • The early foul trouble forced Brown to turn to Drummond, who checked in on that same whistle with the Knicks down, 8-5.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Pushing the ball in transition, George made contact with Detroit guard Duncan Robinson before dramatically collapsing to the floor in an Oscar-worthy attempt to bait a whistle.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The city itself felt largely quiet with the hum of so many electric vehicles.
    — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a steady hum of excitement in New York City, where the Knicks clinched the NBA championship this past summer.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Several outside experts agreed with him, calling the methods state-of-the-art.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Legal experts have echoed those concerns, noting that relying on the NVRA’s general preamble language to halt state election certification lacks precedent.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The wizard freed to blend these two great elixirs of innovation?
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This earlier Russell work did not include acid queens, pinball wizards, or teenage-wasteland messiahs.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Andy the Alligator hisses, the sound provided by a recording of bacon frying in a pan.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In the first week of the COVID shutdown, Holmes packed her two hissing black cats, donned an N95 mask and flew to LAX.
    — Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On this cloudy Saturday morning in September, Cape Town's College of Magic is buzzing with energy as dozens of students are competing in the annual junior magic contest.
    — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Fielder and Oppenheim’s word-of-mouth sensation has taken pop culture by storm, earning millions at the box office, winning near-universal critical praise and generating a ton of press coverage, as well as Oscar buzz.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The drums don’t get the lifelike feel from the buds' higher playback quality; cymbals in particular lack sizzle.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In essence, The Most Dangerous Games is a gamble that the product doesn’t matter as much as the brand, that consumers buy the sizzle, not the steak.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Highlights and experiences It is always a special event stepping out of Venice’s airport onto a pontoon and a polished mahogany water taxi that drops you off canalside near your hotel, after a purr through the Grand Canal.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiz. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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