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
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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
Maddie White, CBS News, 26 May 2026
The world and her uncle come to the Czech capital to watch the 15th-century astronomical clock whirr and strike the hour, take endless selfies by the statues on Charles Bridge, and quaff beer in cobblestoned medieval courtyards.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Cool blue-white LEDs lined the room’s windows, while yellow heavy-duty power outlets hung from the ceiling over rows of desks where students will learn how to maintain the servers whirring behind them.
—Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
On the Iron Horse Regional Trail traversing Contra Costa and Alameda counties, the whir of electric bikes has become part of the summer soundtrack.
—Maddie White, CBS News, 26 May 2026
The world and her uncle come to the Czech capital to watch the 15th-century astronomical clock whirr and strike the hour, take endless selfies by the statues on Charles Bridge, and quaff beer in cobblestoned medieval courtyards.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
From branches above her is released a sudden shower of ash keys, which flutter downwards, whirring in circles, until their wild flight is put to a stop by meeting the water’s surface, where they are apprehended and whisked away downstream.
—Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Cool blue-white LEDs lined the room’s windows, while yellow heavy-duty power outlets hung from the ceiling over rows of desks where students will learn how to maintain the servers whirring behind them.
—Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
-
Inverter ACs are quieter overall but can be known for having a subtle but higher-pitched hum that is bothersome to some.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
18 June 2026
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After the Danish‑Caribbean imprint of the Virgin Islands, San Juan introduces a wider, more cosmopolitan rhythm with Spanish colonial architecture, Afro‑Caribbean culture and the hum of a bustling Latin American city.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Taylor Swift creates buzz with a chic appearance at Electric Lady Studios in New York City on June 15.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
From development around a new freeway and industrial expansion to a chef’s TV win and an eco-friendly home, the Treasure Valley is buzzing with news this June.—
Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Wafting odors of 100-octane gasoline and rumbling purrs of V8 engines punched through the overcast morning at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday as the Velocity Invitational car meet entered its second day.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
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That detail has led researchers to wonder whether the purr is partly a self-healing mechanism, a body soothing itself from the inside out.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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