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
The muses of these two shows felt titillatingly out of reach, an arch if mischievous contrast to the many designers droning backstage about wanting to dress real women (and then giving them completely boring clothes).
—
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The singer-songwriter’s second album spotlights her wayward, darting mind and steadily droning guitar, with help from a constellation of fellow indie rockers from New York City and the Hudson Valley.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Whereas the film is madcap and edgy—even bratty—the Wuthering Heights album is sullen and stately, built upon strings and droning electronics.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
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
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
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The singer-songwriter’s second album spotlights her wayward, darting mind and steadily droning guitar, with help from a constellation of fellow indie rockers from New York City and the Hudson Valley.
—Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Whereas the film is madcap and edgy—even bratty—the Wuthering Heights album is sullen and stately, built upon strings and droning electronics.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
When the economy is humming, that isn’t such a big deal.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Large traffic volumes have resulted in Chinatown becoming an epicenter of poor air quality due to idling cars.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sony Pictures snapped up the screen rights to the Labubu IP in 2025, and fans have been buzzing for a film ever since.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Offices are buzzing about busted brackets, surprise upsets, Cinderella stories, and who’s cutting down the nets.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, he’s been chilling with the Red Dancer emoji.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Senior Homes Editor Betsy Watson's grandmother always had a batch of this cool and refreshing salad chilling in the fridge for guests.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The experience also includes a chef, bartender, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and floating mats for lounging between swims.—
Latifah Al Hazza,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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Amenities include lush landscaped areas, pools, spas, lounging areas, a pavilion and 14 private boat slips.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Murray was playing his ninth game of the season after returning from a torn Achilles that kept him out for more than a year.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
19 Mar. 2026
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Almost 30 states ban trans athletes from playing in girls' and women's sports, according to the Movement Advancement Project.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 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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The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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