as in humming
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
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Recent Examples of whirring
There’s also the noise issue, and the somewhat awkward reality of spinning rotors whirring dangerously above people in public places.
—
New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Instead of being filled with whirring and grinding, the air is quiet, as workers in dozens of open-air cubicles assemble tiny electronic parts under microscopes.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Felipe’s Heladería hums with a nostalgic rhythm—whirring blenders, clinking spoons, and that telltale chorus of people debating toppings.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The Harlan Coben Netflix machine that brought the world Fool Me Once keeps on whirring.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Earthlings have listened in to the rover's wheels crunching over the Martian surface and the whirring blades of its no-longer-flying helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
In an ambulance, Dunn's mind was whirring.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2026
That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Instead of being filled with whirring and grinding, the air is quiet, as workers in dozens of open-air cubicles assemble tiny electronic parts under microscopes.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Felipe’s Heladería hums with a nostalgic rhythm—whirring blenders, clinking spoons, and that telltale chorus of people debating toppings.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
The Harlan Coben Netflix machine that brought the world Fool Me Once keeps on whirring.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
Earthlings have listened in to the rover's wheels crunching over the Martian surface and the whirring blades of its no-longer-flying helicopter sidekick, Ingenuity.
—Marcia Dunn The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2025
In an ambulance, Dunn's mind was whirring.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirring
Verb
-
After the automatic front doors swing guests into the lobby, an ironwork chandelier, olive-green velour curtains, and a humming fireplace dress the Hotel Chelsea in a confidently maximalist wardrobe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Rivians are outfitted with a humming sound for safety to alert passersby, which the Grey’s team disconnected for filming, so while the show’s silent ambulance isn’t exactly street legal, the model is a guide to what ambulances could be in the real world.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Congress Centre was buzzing with both dominating and dominant leaders from across the world.—
Vaishali Nigam Sinha,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Nothing today felt like play, yesterday my phone will be buzzing with messages, a child was used as bait, ICE is sending out flyers offering food support to families, don’t take the bait.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirring. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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