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Definitions

strum

[struhm] / strʌm /
VERB
tweak
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The two musicians play, pluck, strike and strum their instrument to brilliant effect on a record that straddles jazz and contemporary classical.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

But the rigorous process of interviews, followed by group activities and then a 60-second showcase, sees Mr Hall cut before the chance to strum a chord in front of judges.

From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2024

Worries escalated as this new cohort of generative AI tools threatened the livelihoods of people who write, draw, strum or code for a living.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

She briefly began to strum her guitar again before hastily exiting the stage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2023

Musicians strum ouds and lyres, guided by the jubilant beat of drums.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

As he talks, Ness idly strums the latest addition to his collection of guitars: a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom that he says cost him $50,000.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026

Except that there aren’t any Ed Sheeran things like this: a single, unbroken camera shot of the ginger-haired English songwriter as he walks, runs, sings and strums his way around New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

Her raspy but commanding voice is one you cannot miss when she strums her guitar or banjo.

From Salon ● May 19, 2024

“It’s a lot of talking going on while I sing my song,” she observes in “Ameriican Requiem” over guitar strums and electric sitar, adding, “It’s a lot of chatter in here.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2024

He leans back in his chair and strums.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday strummed on a guitar and also went to a shopping mall destroyed by a Russian strike as he visited Kyiv to show his country's support for Ukraine.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

String quartets strummed their way through classical covers of pop hits.

From Salon ● Mar. 4, 2026

“Oganesson” is constructed around his delicate strummed riff, which recalls the ease of bossa nova, and it has an airiness and jazziness not found elsewhere on the record.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025

It's used to heart-wrenching effect on their debut album, singing of the physical ache of unrequited love, over delicately strummed guitars and brushed drums.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2025

She strummed a couple of chords, then raised her face.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

The singer said he was in a Miami hotel while writing the song, strumming his guitar and admiring the coastal view.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

“It has none of those elements one sees so often: festivals of wrought iron, little Juliet balconies, guitars strumming in every corner,” he recalled in his 1998 interview.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

It shows relatives outside a cabin, including her grandfather—a movie-star-handsome man strumming a guitar.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

As they shot the breeze, McCartney started strumming.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

Jim and Roger followed behind him, strumming their guitars.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez


Vocabulary lists containing strum

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