droning

verb

present participle of drone
1
as in humming
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound the sound of droning bees all around us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in idling
to spend time doing nothing instead of getting a job, he preferred to drone and live off his parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of droning The nearby fan’s droning and the sound of a busy cafe only shifted slightly. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 And what about Stephen, a man better known for his droning demagoguery than his warmth? — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026 Rustling and droning tape effects from Frye, subtle enough to be nearly subliminal but still somehow palpably present, act as a binding agent on every track, blurring tones and connecting rhythms. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026 Imagine Marlon James in a crisp, white shirt and conservative tie, droning through another day of brainless ad copy. — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026 His robust, under-appreciated score is composed with droning synthesizer undercurrents, old-fashioned action adventure fanfares, and intense rapid-fire tracks punctuated by brass exclamations and roaring percussion. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 July 2026 Usually, the town’s namesake island, far down in downstate Illinois, is quiet enough to hear the hum of the barges droning along the Mississippi River. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The sound of tattoo machines droning at different pitches filled the air at the fifth annual Capitol City Classic tattoo convention, on Saturday afternoon, the second day of its three-day run. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026 Instead, there’s a surplus of annoying, droning noise. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for droning
  1. humming
  2. idling
  3. buzzing
  4. chilling
  5. dawdling
  6. playing
  7. lounging
  8. loafing
Verb
  • But all of that said, with over 325 million global subscribers, Netflix remains well positioned to keep its core streaming business humming along nicely, albeit at a somewhat less rapid clip, according to MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The offense has been humming with Williams under center, averaging 31 points per game in his three starts.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of humming
Verb
  • Companies across the industry have been idling facilities, with Suntory pausing production at one of Jim Beam’s three Kentucky distilleries to upgrade the site while demand is low.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Diesel engine idling and high-risk industrial activity across the street from homes and parks would bring air, noise and light pollution.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of idling
Verb
  • It was purchased by husband-and-wife duo Kelly and Bryan Binder during the pandemic, and reopened in 2024 as the current nine-bedroom buzzing boutique hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Packers are simply buzzing now, which includes their defense continuing to take the ball away.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of buzzing
Verb
  • This is constantly fed by high-velocity air rammed through massive side intakes, directly chilling the cooling fluid.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Let sit at least 10 minutes or cover and chill up to 8 hours (no need to bring to room temperature before cooking if chilling).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chilling
Verb
  • Gvardiol looked jittery early on, rallied a little to break up some dangerous Porto attacks, but then started giving the ball away again and was booked for a needless pull after being caught dawdling in possession.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of dawdling
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo totaled 10 points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from the foul line, two rebounds, one assist and one steal while playing only 11 minutes in Saturday’s first half.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The practice involves writing down your intrusive thoughts and fears, and even recording yourself talking about them, and playing that recording back to yourself.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of playing
Verb
  • Before the sexy spectacle began livestreaming, Bündchen appeared in a video, lounging on a couch in pink lingerie, the ocean behind her.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • At the stern, the line’s signature ocean lounge is fitted with fold-out terraces that open to create an expansive waterside area for lounging or watersports.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • Kids who used to run to the field excited to play, suddenly started loafing to the field wearing their crocs with their heads buried in their phones.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
  • The pair had been loafing for some time among a grove of apple trees on a private residence in Payson.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of loafing

Browse Nearby Words

drones
droning
drool
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Cite this Entry

“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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