rumbling

noun

rum·​bling ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: rumble

2

: general but unofficial talk or opinion often of dissatisfaction

—usually used in plural

… rumblings of political trouble …

—Anthony Burgess

Examples of rumbling in a Sentence

There were rumblings about rising prices.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any second, surely, Dad’s tan Mercedes would glide into view and start its rumbling, lumbering ascent up the gravel drive. —Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026

While some Summer House viewers immediately latched onto the first rumblings of a more-than-friend connection — care of the sometimes-reliable Deuxmoi — others worked hard to find non-fire explanations for the smoke. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026

There were also rumblings, according to Vaccaro, about the team possibly being courted to a new stadium in New Jersey that would have had a fresh look compared to the crumbling Yankee Stadium that was hoping for city funding to make integral repairs. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026

The sheer scale, bustle and energy reflected the depth of the industry, even as the ominous rumblings of global trade continued in the background. —Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rumbling

• bumbling
• crumbling
• fumbling
• grumbling
• humbling
• mumbling
• stumbling
• tumbling