DRONING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

droning

verb

present participle of drone

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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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 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 The mics do a good job of cutting out droning background noise. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 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

Verb

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
Consider an administrative assistant who has spent a decade keeping a department humming along.

— Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of humming

Verb

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
And Rovell quickly discovered Kobe’s mind was incapable of idling, even during dead-of-night text exchanges.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of idling

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
During the camp’s first seven days, the activity log filled with nearly 665 observations, mostly federal agents buzzing around their location.

— Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 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

Each has the perspective of attending East Side schools, playing football and returning to teach and coach at the high school.

— Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The main reason the Giants have a chance to win every week, though, despite all their injuries and heart-stopping endings, is that Jameis Winston is playing well as their starting quarterback.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of playing

Verb

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
Your Photography by Kimberly Kalan Maison Flambeau has multiple outdoor dining and lounging spots, the most notable of which are its splash pool and sauna.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 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

Style

“Droning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/droning. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of droning

verb

Example Sentences

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