variants
also whirr
as in hum
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 whirr
as in to hum
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of whir
Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2024
The constant whir of leaf blowers will grind to a halt as temperatures become too hot for gardeners and outdoor workers during the day.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Maya Jasanoff, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018
In a small, windowless room in San Francisco, rows of computers whir with an intensity that borders on a scream.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whir 
Noun
There was not a soul in sight—just sun-dappled forest, the whir of insects, and me alone with my footsteps and my thoughts.
—Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2024
The constant whir of leaf blowers will grind to a halt as temperatures become too hot for gardeners and outdoor workers during the day.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Verb
With the onset of World War II, the engine whirred fast and furiously.
—Maya Jasanoff, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2018
In a small, windowless room in San Francisco, rows of computers whir with an intensity that borders on a scream.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Verb
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Others volunteer to water plants, write a weekly newsletter, launder aprons, check on members who haven’t shown up in a while, and shoulder other tasks needed to keep the clubhouse humming.Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
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The question is whether the Fed can help keep the economy out of a recession now that it’s begun cutting interest rates to keep the job market humming.Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Stocking Stuffers Under $30 Cat lovers will purr over these adorable bowls.Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
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This little kitty purrs, walks, and even tumbles, giving my daughter all the fun of having another cat without the extra fur or midnight meows.Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In a glancing sense, for me, there are whispers of the Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman musical Follies in The Last Showgirl.Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Nov. 2024
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The Kimberley is a truly wild place, where human history is merely a whisper over millennia.Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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With the film garnering Oscar buzz, Maclin’s story has become emblematic of the power of second chances and the impact of art.Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
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Social media is ostensibly a form of publicity, a way to generate buzz for a book.Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near whir
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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