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
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of purr
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
This person was less than purr-fect.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Geography and tragedy unite them, as does the purr of comfort inherent in their cooking.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
This person was less than purr-fect.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
Two years later, a long-haired white Persian appeared in From Russia With Love, purring from the lap of the Bond villain Blofeld.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of how cats purr.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Noun
-
The whir of an ambulance rose and dissipated, leaving behind the hum of rolling traffic.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Behind her, the kettle was beginning to hum.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Industry associates whispered to Vanity Fair in 1996 about Mottola adopting shady mobster tactics in his running of Sony, demanding loyalty and allegedly keeping a gun in his briefcase.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After Tomislav whispered in his ear, reporter Lauren Shehadi asked what his teammate said.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The remark drew a mix of gasps, murmurs and laughs from others in the room.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Meyers bent his head and murmured to Bria.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shoppers shout out the arch support and cushy soles, which are always a plus.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Auriemma had angry words for South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and had to be restrained by his assistant coaches while Staley shouted at him in response after UConn lost its first game of the season, 62-48, at the Mortgage Matchup Center.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a recent morning, birds chirped and hopped from tree to tree under a clear blue morning sky as a man in a respirator and protective earmuffs worked on what remained of Vazquez’s property, which was fenced off from the street.—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan Reaves — arguably the NHL’s toughest fighter through his career — was recently chirped by a teammate two decades younger than him for turning 39.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Onlookers gasp as cast members rush over to assist.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Olivia Miles makes the types of nifty passes that can leave fans gasping in astonishment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both governments still mouth the old slogans, by rote.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Or to sometimes instinctively mouth the words to Christmas carols the kids sang to him with tears or confusion in their eyes.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The duo had already spoken on the phone three times before Nehls' morning interview with USA TODAY.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Most people who spoke to the Herald say they were blindsided by the news.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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