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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purr
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
In the ’80s, de-graffiti-fying and air conditioning the subways proclaimed to the world that New York was purring again.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 12 May 2025
The three of them shared head bonks, muzzle rubs, purrs, and cuddling!!
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Noun
Viewers online were able to see the cat resting on top of a warm bed, purring gently and looking toward his rescuer.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
In the ’80s, de-graffiti-fying and air conditioning the subways proclaimed to the world that New York was purring again.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Her soft purrs and loving eyes will remind you every day that you are adored.
—Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 12 May 2025
The three of them shared head bonks, muzzle rubs, purrs, and cuddling!!
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr
Verb
-
It will be whispered but never spoken aloud lest too many clients will be alienated.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
13 July 2025
-
Surfers began whispering about the good surf brought on by the area’s sometimes harsh weather in recent years.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The songs are not so much compositions as elliptical confessions, murmured rather than declared.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
-
Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
However, Ultraman is simple-minded and purely exists to follow Luthor's directions, down to the exact attack moves his handler shouts into his earpiece during fights.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
-
Most of those shouting questions at Tatis for 45 minutes were doing so in Spanish.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Both featured physical play that left players chirping and crowds energized.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2025
-
Birds chirped and traffic appeared normal — apart from the bustle at the local fire department in the center of town — as responders continued to manage the remains of the fireworks facility that exploded barely a mile away, just a few days before.—
Jake Goodrick
July 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Onlookers gasped and seemed confused about what had happened.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
16 July 2025
-
If the person is not breathing or only gasping, CPR should begin immediately.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The Bulldogs players began to tap their friends and mouth the quarterback’s name.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian spoke earlier that day in Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame about their recruiting philosophies in the age of player revenue sharing and schools allocating a big chunk of that $20.5 million to football.—
Marc Weiszer,
The Tennessean,
22 July 2025
-
Journalists also became less able to speak truth to power through a number of trends, some involving liability.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
And fans can breathe easy, at least for a little while.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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School programs ‘can breathe a little easier’ Despite the uncertainty, California officials viewed the move as a victory.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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