whiz 1 of 3

variants or whizz
Definition of whiznext
1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the whiz of an arrow flying by at an uncomfortably close range

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2

whiz

2 of 3

noun (2)

variants or whizz
1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ just hearing the bullets whiz as they fly by their heads must be terrifying for soldiers

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2
as in to hum
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound many vehicles were whizzing past us at breakneck speeds

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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 whiz
Noun
Since the project’s 2023 launch, its hard-charging CEO Jeff Yan (check out Fortune’s profile of the Harvard grad and physics whiz here) has been content to use an offshore cowboy model to grow Hyperliquid. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 Melissa Jenkins recently told The Tennessean that her mom was a gardener and a whiz in the kitchen known for her down-home cooking, specializing in dishes like meat loaf, friend chicken, and macaroni and cheese. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
In an open field, arrows whizzed through the humid June air and struck their targets. — Lydia McFarlane, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 There’s no better view than from whizzing over the water on these scenic bridges. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiz
Noun
  • After the final whistle, highlights of Messi’s career was shown in the night sky via a drone show.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Obscenities, the referee’s whistle, and the thud of boots into balls—and sometimes shins—easily carry across these desolate fields.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
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
  • Very occasionally, a scooter—piled high with passengers—hums past.
    — Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The weekly newsletter offers readers savings tips, expert answers to your questions and weekly challenges to help boost savings.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • While Star Wars might be known for laser swords and space wizards, it's always been about weird little dudes doing even weirder things.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • View gallery - 3 images There was a time when intelligent rings were what your level-three wizard wore in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This step is what brought us here, to Ponysaurus, filling out the online notice to the tune of a hissing compressor that kept clean air moving through the brewing system.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists previously created tiny diving suits for Madagascar hissing cockroaches that could be used in perilous search operations, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The awards buzz may prove tough to come by at this point, given that Digger was hit with a C+ CinemaScore from audiences, landing as one of the lowest grades for Cruise’s career, and has polarized critics.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • One of the acts that made a big impression on the youngsters was the Allen Tolbert Unit, whose namesake would captivate them by buzzing up and down his guitar fretboard like a hummingbird in flight.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • August's sizzle also helped push the globe and the United States to swelter through the hottest Northern Hemisphere summer scientists have measured.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The unofficial end of summer may have come with the annual observance of the Labor Day holiday, but the temperatures set to bake the Bay Area as the post-holiday workweek began were expected to be more in keeping with a midsummer sizzle.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiz. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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