1
: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source
We make our blunders … as rumor has it that you make your own.—
Benjamin N. Cardozo
Benjamin N. Cardozo2
: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth
She accused them of spreading rumors about her.
"Have you heard they broke up?" "That's just a rumor."
3
archaic
: talk or report of a notable person or event
4
: a soft low indistinct sound : murmur
Examples of rumor in a Sentence
Noun
There are rumors that they are making a new film.
She accused him of starting rumors about her.
Ever since his sudden resignation, rumors have been flying.
I heard a rumor that they broke up.
“Did you hear that they broke up?” “That's just a rumor.”
The rumor turned out to be false.
You can't fire him solely based on rumor.
Rumor has it that they broke up.
Verb
for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement
Recent Examples on the Web
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Jayson Tatum continues to add fuel to the rumors of a potential return to action this year after tearing his Achilles in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2025
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, Broadcom is rumored to be talking with Microsoft about shifting its business away from its director competitor in the custom chip design space, Marvell Technology .
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
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Noun
Internet gossips are increasingly spreading unfounded rumors that the couple is in distress.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Jayson Tatum continues to add fuel to the rumors of a potential return to action this year after tearing his Achilles in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
The model brings fly-by-wire controls, turbulence-reduction technology, and optional in-flight service capability with a flight attendant—features rare at this size—with even more advances rumored to be in the works.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, Broadcom is rumored to be talking with Microsoft about shifting its business away from its director competitor in the custom chip design space, Marvell Technology .
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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