HUM Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

hum 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hum

as in purr

a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion we heard the hum of an outboard motor and a few minutes later the small craft came into sight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hum

2 of 2

verb

ˈhəm

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied one restaurant was humming with diners, while a neighboring eatery was practically empty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to buzz

to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound a helicopter hummed overhead

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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 hum

Noun

The ritual hum of leaf blowers fires up in the fall and marks the change in season as much as vibrant leaves falling from the trees. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 On campus, there's that hum of excitement in the air as students find their way to classes, meet new roommates and scurry off to pep rallies and rush week. — Janet W. Lee, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

So the investors, led by Hackman Capital Partners, Blackstone and Bain Capital, piled in to buy studio space, betting that the streaming boom and Wall Street’s collective shrug at profits would keep facilities humming. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Beneath it all hums the climate crisis, driving hotter, drier weather and pushing the water cycle off balance. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hum

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum

Noun

Highlights and experiences It is always a special event stepping out of Venice’s airport onto a pontoon and a polished mahogany water taxi that drops you off canalside near your hotel, after a purr through the Grand Canal.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of purr

Verb

During the session, moderated by Grace Barber-Plentie, BFI London Film Festival programmer, the star repeatedly drew applause and laughter from an adoring crowd that left the room buzzing about Ackie’s passion and natural charisma.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
With the Air Jordan 4’s buzz still at a peak, now could be the perfect time to complete the trio with a retail release.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of buzz

Noun

There are whispers in France of these protests transforming into another Yellow Vests movement, which was leaderless, nationwide and unified a broad church of grievances.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Dyson Air Purifier Prime Day Deals The Dyson Hushjet is a compact, small-form air purifier that's whisper-quiet but powerful.

— Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of whisper

Verb

Check for dented seams and bulging lids, which can point to food safety issues, recommends Morawetz.

— Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
Her bulging eyes, her piercing shrieks, her casual yet immaculately articulate cruelty all come together to form a cartoonish villain who’s also a commanding delight.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of bulge

Verb

The Bangkok outpost in the Ratchadamri shopping district draws distinguished guests who zip around the city via the connecting BTS Skytrain station.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026
But up here on the terraces of the Anantara Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi, the shrieks of day-tripping cruise passengers, zipping back and forth in Tango-orange tenders, are pleasantly faint.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of zip

Noun

The full textile experience, after all, is multisensory—visual, tactile, and sometimes auditory (think of taffeta’s distinctive rustle).

— Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026
Still, Polk’s family found peace there, watching big owls swoop down and falling asleep to the rustle of two acres of trees.

— Austyn Gaffney, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of rustle

Verb

Powerful cutters have whirred to life on a giant drill that will begin boring a new train tunnel under the Hudson River connecting Manhattan to New Jersey.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
The studio whirred to what has been described as Aison’s fresh and distinct take on the police helicopter angle, which really hasn’t been explored since 1983’s thriller Blue Thunder.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of whir

Browse Nearby Words

hulls

hum

human

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“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hum

noun

verb

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