as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to whisper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Amy Pocsik, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
It’s been replaced by a soothing purr where nearly every syllable is clear.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, Kathryn purrs an invitation from the bedroom.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Your operations need to purr before your brand can roar.
—Amy Pocsik, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
It’s been replaced by a soothing purr where nearly every syllable is clear.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
There’s also a theory that kittens born to a feral mother are discouraged from purring to prevent attracting the attention of predators.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, Kathryn purrs an invitation from the bedroom.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Her voice is in the breeze that whispers through the wildflowers, her spirit in the hum of the bees.—
Carissa Talmage,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Certainly, nothing on the menu or in the service seemed to communicate anything beyond polished, murmuring attentiveness.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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On Saturday evening, teenagers from a Catholic religious group known as the Salesians stood in a circle, murmuring quiet prayers for the pope's health.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Although his team has been shouting into the void for decades, Teatini says that with ever-rising tide levels, those in authority are beginning to acknowledge that the MOSE barrier will work for around 40 years at the most.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
-
Bertie suddenly shouted, quite pleased with himself for managing to get a word out correctly.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
With flowers blooming and birds chirping, war feels distant, although the closest front line is a short drive away.—
Dominique Soguel,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 Apr. 2025
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The clip follows with a series of shots filmed inside the cave – a world first – as chicks chirp for their moms and dads, and would-be parents wander around looking for love.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The audience gasped at the first snippet, a soundless rendering of the moment when the vampire Remmick first appears.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Nope, not breathless, not gasping for air, not completely winded.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Ford decided to mouth his last name at the end, a decision that caused observers to break out in laughter.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump spoke after a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to USA TODAY.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Why not speak to Tzarina and check if there would be time on Alesia’s schedule to help clean up?—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some may have trouble breathing, and patients have been known to break their ribs due to the severity of the force associated with coughing.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
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Florida breathed a little bit easier after that and locked the game down the rest of the way in its 6-3 win over Tampa Bay in Game 5 at Amalie Arena to clinch the first-round playoff series and continue the Panthers’ quest to defend their Stanley Cup title.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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