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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whir
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
As the documentary opens, insect whirs and faint helicopter chuf-chufs mix with a choral hymn.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
The promotional photo shared on Instagram—showing Moroney wearing a gray and orange Vols shirt—set the country music conspiracy machine whirring.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
But even those noises faded into nothing once the wooden shutters were closed at turndown, and the soft whir of the air conditioning took over.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
As the documentary opens, insect whirs and faint helicopter chuf-chufs mix with a choral hymn.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
The promotional photo shared on Instagram—showing Moroney wearing a gray and orange Vols shirt—set the country music conspiracy machine whirring.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
-
On most days, the children’s adventure garden at the Dallas Arboretum hums with the chatter of curious kids.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
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In one classroom, the hum of a laser cutter broke the near silence of a computer and technology class.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Offices are buzzing about busted brackets, surprise upsets, Cinderella stories, and who’s cutting down the nets.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
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The air buzzes with light music and the sound of the espresso machine as Victoria Semerei, absorbed in a book, lounges in a chair.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Honey is ready to bring love, purrs and playful cuddles to her forever home.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
For many of us, our truest Valentine has four legs, a wagging tail, a gentle purr or a happy chirp.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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