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
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
Across Milan and the Dolomites, two dozen drones are whirring slightly behind skiers, lugers and even speed skaters, bringing viewers across the world to the mountains and ice.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Olympics star-making machine has started whirring, and no sport is more ripe for some stars than curling.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The partnership has helped keep its sewing machines whirring.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
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
Across Milan and the Dolomites, two dozen drones are whirring slightly behind skiers, lugers and even speed skaters, bringing viewers across the world to the mountains and ice.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The Olympics star-making machine has started whirring, and no sport is more ripe for some stars than curling.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The partnership has helped keep its sewing machines whirring.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Many stood silently beneath the waning moon, police helicopters whirring overhead.
—Sara James, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirring
Verb
-
When the economy is humming, that isn’t such a big deal.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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But Vanek also has people round their back into turtle pose, using humming breaths to connect with vibration-sensing creatures, and using the outstretched arms of some poses to greet new snake visitors.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sony Pictures snapped up the screen rights to the Labubu IP in 2025, and fans have been buzzing for a film ever since.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Whirring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirring. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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