as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine
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Recent Examples of purrs
Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
But the other people who live nearby may not be so easily swayed by those adorable puppy dog eyes or precious purrs and might get very irritated.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purrs
Noun
-
If the motor hums loudly or constantly, check whether the ductwork is damaged.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Back at its Utah HQ, where the walls are lined with pink Crumbl University diplomas and the test kitchen hums with invention, the next big flavor is already in the oven.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then came whispers that Netflix had put the show on its internal server, and employees couldn’t get enough of Bell and Brody’s crackling chemistry.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
-
These days, my mind still whispers, When the war ends—as though the war is continuing inside me, even after the noise of the air strikes outside has stopped.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
About halfway through our interview, Uchis’ phone buzzes.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yurov laughs hysterically and chirps back at Kreider.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nothing about WristbandGuy shouts at all.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The mother shouts her daughter’s name.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The River Coln murmurs gently here—weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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There have also been murmurs around Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler — but nothing more.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These are texts that hide their depth under a thick layer of flatulence jokes, loud guitars or Texas drawls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purrs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purrs. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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