as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 July 2024
But also the reassuring purr of the fax machine, which at some point in the 1990s began to stutter out sheets of paper with algebraic formulae and solutions that more talented classmates had found for homework.
—Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Elaine Wilkinson, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024
My phone finally emitted a purring sound—the notification that the tracker was out of the safe zone.
—PCMAG, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr 
Noun
After his surgery, Jinxy was able to open his eyes and purr at his owner without pain, Myrna said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 July 2024
But also the reassuring purr of the fax machine, which at some point in the 1990s began to stutter out sheets of paper with algebraic formulae and solutions that more talented classmates had found for homework.
—Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Verb
Related Articles Family picnic at California park takes a terrifying turn when mountain lion attacks child
Is a Los Gatos cat’s lack of purring a sign of its upbringing or something else?
—Elaine Wilkinson, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024
My phone finally emitted a purring sound—the notification that the tracker was out of the safe zone.
—PCMAG, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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The same way that our culture has taught us to whisper about our periods and hide our tampons—despite the fact that our menstrual cycles perpetuate our species—new mothers are culturally guided to hide the more brutal details of childbirth.Krista Vernoff, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
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The faux poster was an alteration to the official Universal Pictures marketing materials in which Elphaba’s full face is on display as Glinda (Ariana Grande) whispers in her ear.Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Baraka took the stage, in a pink shirt and white sneakers, and delivered an address that kept the room murmuring and chuckling for more than an hour.Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
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My Method Actor scatters luminous beads of sound design into a writhing body of hooks and vocal lines—sometimes murmured, others chanted, all interspersed with that trademark Yanya flourish that sounds like a sigh rising to a yelp.Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Cooper, 30, shouts to the 5,000 screaming young women who have packed the house.Alexandra York, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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No approach is made, no greeting shouted, no gaze returned.Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Throughout the Claridge’s lobby, a candy trolley overflowing with festive treats and mechanical birds chirping softly from the tree add elements of surprise and interaction.Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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Things started to pick up for the offense when the pads went on Tuesday, and the offensive linemen, quarterbacks and receivers started chirping back.Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 4 Aug. 2024
Verb
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The nearly 60,000-strong crowd gasped collectively as Martin momentarily disappeared.Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
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Inside the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Colombo’s mother, Tonya Colombo, gasped as the verdict was read.Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Fike doesn’t mouth along to the songs, make distinct markers of when one ends and another begins, or even mention the titles of any of them.Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
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Also present was Dmitri Shostakovich, who had come to New York at Stalin’s behest, in order to mouth propaganda at the Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace.Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
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Local leaders were hesitant to speak at length about the congresswoman, wary of the perception that they would be seen as pressuring a reluctant candidate into running — which is how former Rep. Ron Dellums’ mayoral tenure is often remembered.Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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Mikko Rantanen spoke bluntly about Nichushkin, saying the quiet part out loud.Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Sanders needs space for his staff, his inner circle, space to breathe.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024
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Once inside the trauma bay, Derek had stopped breathing.Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near purr
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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