1
as in humming
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the sound of droning bees all around us
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in idling
to spend time doing nothing
instead of getting a job, he preferred to drone and live off his parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of droning
As far as Garland’s projects go, Devs comes closest to matching the paranoia and droning anxiety of the multi-hyphenate’s literary work.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Programming, scholarship, and—the event’s steadily droning core—a 25-hour cover-to-cover reading of the great book itself.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
The standout craft element here is a powerful horror score by Hildur Gudnadottir that ranges from solemn, quasi-ecclesiastical passages to gut-churning, droning soundscapes.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The harsh grinding of the elevated cable system is heard over low droning music.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
On the same phone, the police recovered a nearly three-minute video, very dimly lit, of a small figure working at the trunk of a large tree, a chainsaw droning in the background, leaning his whole weight into the job until the crackling collapse began.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Other times, the book sounds like a droning Christmas-card letter, as Sarkozy endlessly tallies his friends and foes.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Programming, scholarship, and—the event’s steadily droning core—a 25-hour cover-to-cover reading of the great book itself.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
The standout craft element here is a powerful horror score by Hildur Gudnadottir that ranges from solemn, quasi-ecclesiastical passages to gut-churning, droning soundscapes.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The harsh grinding of the elevated cable system is heard over low droning music.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
On the same phone, the police recovered a nearly three-minute video, very dimly lit, of a small figure working at the trunk of a large tree, a chainsaw droning in the background, leaning his whole weight into the job until the crackling collapse began.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Other times, the book sounds like a droning Christmas-card letter, as Sarkozy endlessly tallies his friends and foes.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
Verb
-
After the automatic front doors swing guests into the lobby, an ironwork chandelier, olive-green velour curtains, and a humming fireplace dress the Hotel Chelsea in a confidently maximalist wardrobe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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Rivians are outfitted with a humming sound for safety to alert passersby, which the Grey’s team disconnected for filming, so while the show’s silent ambulance isn’t exactly street legal, the model is a guide to what ambulances could be in the real world.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Why are states trying to reduce car idling?—
Anna Kleiber,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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More than two dozen residents who spoke with NBC News describe officers in unmarked cars idling on neighborhood streets and agents going door to door.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Congress Centre was buzzing with both dominating and dominant leaders from across the world.—
Vaishali Nigam Sinha,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Nothing today felt like play, yesterday my phone will be buzzing with messages, a child was used as bait, ICE is sending out flyers offering food support to families, don’t take the bait.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bruceriver Pure Wool Knit Gloves Cold hands can ruin even the best winter day, which is why wool gloves are non-negotiable in bone-chilling cold.—
Ariana Dickson,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
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The death toll from this weekend’s bone-chilling winter storm, has climbed to eight, with city officials investigating how so many New Yorkers lost their lives on the streets and whether the deaths were caused by the extreme cold.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For running errands, working out, or lounging around the house, grab these best-selling joggers that are even backed by dance instructors.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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Mobs of kangaroos and wallabies are easy to spot lounging in open fields during golden hours.—
Laura Kiniry,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While Congress currently appears inclined to reject those reductions, most universities are playing it very cautiously with respect to research and graduate education commitments, given the uncertainty that’s likely to continue at the federal level.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Mesidor lacks ideal length and turns 25 in April after playing six college seasons.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Faster pit stops could also help unlock sales for electric two-wheelers, which have been slow to catch on due to dawdling charge times and limited riding range.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2023
Verb
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Within a few moments, an antlerless deer emerged, loafing along toward Ronnie, completely unalarmed.—
Jim Moore,
Outdoor Life,
8 Oct. 2025
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She is seen going over the shots planned for the next day and remembering that some loafing around is planned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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