rumor 1 of 2

noun

ˈrü-mər How to pronounce rumor (audio)
Definition of rumornext
as in gossip
information or opinion that is widely disseminated without any authority or confirmation of accuracy rumor has it that she's planning to shut down the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rumor

2 of 2

verb

as in to whisper
to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement

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 rumor
Noun
There have been rumors about her being axed by the company for the past couple of weeks, all denied by Netflix. — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Khalil Mack isn’t paying any mind to trade rumors linking him to contenders. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Obamas were once rumored to be moving in, and Brooke Astor did. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026 In 2016, the company bought off-price retailer Gilt Groupe for $250 million, ostensibly to bolster Saks Off 5th, only to sell it again a couple years later for an undisclosed price rumored to be far lower. — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rumor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumor
  1. gossip
  2. whisper
  3. report
  4. reveal
  5. talk
  6. hint
  7. hearsay
  8. circulate
Noun
  • View this post on Instagram Because of the news of her divorce, the post trickled through the celebrity gossip outlets, and that coverage in turn propagated the post through Google search.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
  • His son sees that as a kind of divine verdict on decades of gossip about the pair.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of gossip
Verb
  • Then Mum whispered a few words to her, lay down next to her and said the Rosary with her.
    — Kerry Kennedy, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Callum whispered his choices and Maya repeated them loudly to the server.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of whisper
Noun
  • Officers responding to a report of a stabbing found Dodge, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The transfer follows a report that Combs received special perks and the rapper’s hospitalization with a head injury.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of report
Verb
  • The extra baggage negates the weightlessness, revealing a more flawed and earthbound iteration of the band.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • When scandals are revealed, teams and leagues with close ties to gambling companies are accused of hypocrisy.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of reveal
Noun
  • Russia and Ukraine are engaged in talks on ending the plight of people trapped in Oleshky, Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said in an interview with Espreso.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Her talk focused on being flexible and creative when responding to stress.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • Any report that hints about slumping demand or higher-than-expected costs of building out AI infrastructure has frequently sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The filmmaker was hinting heavily at what might be in store for the festival’s surprise screening Wednesday evening at the Institut Lumière.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • Brooks argued that the allegations raised questions about identification, credibility and hearsay.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While Westerly has proven not to be – despite internet hearsay – the site of pop megastar Taylor Swift's approaching wedding, the seaside town remains a favorite vacation destination of Swift's.
    — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026
Definition of hearsay
Verb
  • From here, heated water is circulated to fan coil units (FCUs) to circulate warm air throughout the poultry house.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The utility recommends setting air conditioners to 78 degrees, closing curtains during peak sun hours and using fans to circulate the air.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of circulate

Browse Nearby Words

rummy
rumor
rumored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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