BURR Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

burr 1 of 2

noun

ˈbər

Definition of burr

as in hum

a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion heard the burr of a distant engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

burr

2 of 2

verb

as in to hum

to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound the pitch burred past the batter's ear

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 burr

Noun

Burr grinders crush coffee beans evenly between two steel or ceramic burrs. — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026 Naturalists note the golf course’s rolling hills host burr trees, cross country skiing trails, coyote paths and other scenic draws. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 May 2026 Their bestselling models use stainless steel blades, but Krups does offer burr grinders, too. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 His tone had a burr of excitement that didn’t match the words. — Josh Owens, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burr

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burr

Noun

By fields of cotton and soybeans where his bees forage and pollinate, Foster Hensel pries open the lid of one of his beehives, setting off a rising hum from inside.

— Drew Hawkins, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Inside one of American Royal’s vast new barns, the smell of fresh paint still lingers as the hum of whirring drills and construction equipment fills the space just over 15 days until its first event on the new campus.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hum

Verb

The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
And as Forte mentioned, the film is being released amid glowing reviews and very positive audience buzz.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzz

Noun

Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
In the mid-1970s, Slash’s mother, the costume designer Ola Hudson, worked on the American production of The Rocky Horror Show, whose Frank-N-Furter is the unmistakable touchstone of Bourzgui’s David, down to the depraved purr.

— Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of purr

Verb

Across the city yesterday morning, yellow school buses zipped through streets.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Facing second-and-4 in the second quarter, Browning took a shotgun snap, and Anudike-Uzomah was there in an instant, zipping by Tampa Bay third-string tackle Marshall Fournier for a free shot on Browning.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of zip

Noun

And in recent weeks, concerns about that history — including accusations of nonpayment and unlicensed screenings at the Kingsway — have traveled west through something of an industry whisper network, increasingly spilling into public view.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Higher still The whisper numbers are higher still, with analysts and traders thinking third-quarter sales guidance could reach $107 billion to $108 billion, and even as high as $110 billion.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of whisper

Browse Nearby Words

burps

burr

burred

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“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burr. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of burr

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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