as in hums
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purrs
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Take their purrs, for example, which are known to vibrate at frequencies that can reduce stress and soothe anxiety.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Murillo’s diagonal ball elicits audible purrs from the Peter Taylor Stand.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
This has translated into freakishly unstable songs that spin from garish wubs and witch folk to lullaby-like purrs.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Take their purrs, for example, which are known to vibrate at frequencies that can reduce stress and soothe anxiety.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Murillo’s diagonal ball elicits audible purrs from the Peter Taylor Stand.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
This has translated into freakishly unstable songs that spin from garish wubs and witch folk to lullaby-like purrs.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purrs
Noun
-
The score hums and pulses with modern unease, making the film feel like a fever dream that happens to borrow Brontë’s names.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags.—
Henry I. Miller,
STAT,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 When intuition whispers, the universe is turning up the volume.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
January 20 – February 18 When intuition whispers, the universe is turning up the volume.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and toggle Haptics off to stop those subtle buzzes that can feel like extra notifications.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
About halfway through our interview, Uchis’ phone buzzes.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Yet there has been no panic internally, nor shouts from players or hierarchy to abandon the plan.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tess murmurs, having had no idea that Alex, who works in finance, has started moonlighting in standup.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
-
An aide for former first daughter Chelsea Clinton shut down murmurs about her entering the race.—
Kyler Alvord,
PEOPLE,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Upon announcing her status as a Faithful, the whole room gasps.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The rest of the gang rushes inside to be at Eleven’s side and save the children who are trapped inside on the Pain Tree, while Vecna burbles and gasps for air.—
Yohana Desta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These are texts that hide their depth under a thick layer of flatulence jokes, loud guitars or Texas drawls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purrs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purrs. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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