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
Joan Verdon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Giving him a little hug and hearing him purr definitely lifts my spirit.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Rob Picheta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Her plush cat, with a pillow-like body and realistic purr, will be sold direct to consumer on her website.
—Joan Verdon, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Giving him a little hug and hearing him purr definitely lifts my spirit.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
The president has purred at the advances of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, attacked Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and has barely returned Europe’s calls, cutting the continent out of negotiations over the end of the conflict.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
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Rather than shouting ‘luxury’, The Lana whispers it.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Immigration officer engages my children in chit chat then whispers to them ‘Are these your Mum and Dad?’ .—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Just murmuring in response to his questions, Don’t know, and, later, in the hotel room, shrinking from his angry face, pleading, Sorry, so sorry.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
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There was a clear rise in noise in the room as people murmured about the person who had just entered.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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By the time the chorus rolled around, the commuters were in full voice, shouting along (and filming the whole thing for posterity), as Fallon banged on a tambourine.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Like new worlds where height flows in one direction only, as time does here on Earth, such that once traversed, that perch can’t be chirped upon again.—
Laura Kolbe,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2025
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This weekend is the first weekend of spring, and the birds are chirping.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The crowd was left gasping in shock when the woman surprisingly began giving the berries live tongue action without hesistation.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The second clip teased the level of gore fans can expect from the film, with a scene of bloody child endangerment that made multiple audience members gasped and looked away.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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 speaks to reporters about Russia, Iran and a third term President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday night from Air Force One, where he was asked about a third term, ceasefire negotiations with Russia and tariffs on Iran.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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But speaking to some of China's America watchers, views of any opportunities that the new administration might offer are tempered by caution and skepticism about China's appetite to eat America's lunch.—
Anthony Kuhn,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While the evidence does not support the use of cinnamon tea for nausea and vomiting, people who drink the tea do breathe in cinnamon vapors along with ingesting cinnamon and may experience similar results.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
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The topper, incorporating wool and horsehair, allows the mattress to breathe, as opposed to foam mattresses.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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