PURR Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

purr 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər

Definition of purr

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

purr

2 of 2

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 purr

Noun

But a growing body of research suggests some of the most therapeutic sounds on earth are already in your home — your cat’s purr, rain on the window, birdsong outside. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026 In DuPont Circle near the Hilton, an otherwise quiet night was disrupted by the scream of sirens and purr of helicopters. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026

Verb

While the video plays and the cat closes in on Bender ever-so-slowly, hen turkeys in the nearby pasture can be heard yelping and purring. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2026 Virgie is pursued, in some of the play’s funniest moments, by a slithering cultist in shiny green gloves who purrs like a deadly kitty and moves like an Animaniac. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purr

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purr

Noun

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 background hum comes from X-ray emissions detected by Chandra.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 4 July 2026

Definition of hum

Verb

This week's quiz highlights cruise controversies, wedding whispers — and much more.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
Recalling a former boss who whispered intimate good-byes to his appliances when his restaurant closed, Luca says that the head chef didn’t receive similar farewells from his employees.

— Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

One day while sitting on the porch, Sarah appeared out of nowhere, running towards them, shouting for them.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
The crew and the two witnesses said one of the three men got out with a dog and then moved aggressively towards the crew while shouting racial slurs targeted at the photographer.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

Sometimes crickets chirped in my head.

— Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

Definition of chirp

Verb

Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
And when he was questioned by a police officer about his decision to pronounce the boy dead while the child was still gasping for air, the doctor allegedly pulled rank.

— Gabriella Bachara, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of gasp

Verb

Security camera footage from a nearby residence showed the Durango parked in a driveway when three suspects approached the vehicle’s driver’s side and spoke engaged with Mitchell, the probable cause statement said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Just a few days later, Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship and their cancer battles.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of speak

Browse Nearby Words

purposively

purr

purred

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purr. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of purr

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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