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
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Burden, an immigration attorney and the granddaughter of editor and socialite Babe Paley, throws herself into writing to make sense of this sudden departure and the country club rumor mill that followed.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
His retirement, which had been rumored for weeks, is virtually certain to set off a mad dash of Republicans hoping to vie for his seat.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
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Noun
Miranda Hope seemingly confirmed the rumor that the newly single Jessi Draper kissed her ex-husband, Chase McWhorter, at a party over the weekend.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Burden, an immigration attorney and the granddaughter of editor and socialite Babe Paley, throws herself into writing to make sense of this sudden departure and the country club rumor mill that followed.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
There’s also the rise in facial plastic surgery for men—Elon Musk and John Mulaney are rumored to be among the recipients—seeking stronger chins.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
His retirement, which had been rumored for weeks, is virtually certain to set off a mad dash of Republicans hoping to vie for his seat.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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