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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of whir
Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In the quiet town of Shawnee, Oklahoma, the rapid whir of sewing machines fills one of the last surviving American garment factories.
—Jing Feng, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for whir
Noun
Three descendants of one of those original colonies were startled by the whir of Captain Brett’s fan motor and, with Busby Berkeley synchronicity, dived from the bank into the muddy water.
—Verb
The Harlan Coben Netflix machine that brought the world Fool Me Once keeps on whirring.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for whir
Noun
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Elevators in apartment blocks stopped working, trapping elderly residents in their homes, and people have become used to the loud hum of generators.—
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The hum of polishing wheels bleeds through half-open doors.—
Verb
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The return of Eggs in the Basket has also generated buzz among longtime fans.—
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The top line with Viggo Bjorck and Stenberg was buzzing.—
Noun
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This person was less than purr-fect.—
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Take their purrs, for example, which are known to vibrate at frequencies that can reduce stress and soothe anxiety.—
Cite this Entry
“Whir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whir. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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