rustle

verb

rus·tle | \ˈrə-səl

rustled; rustling\ˈrə-s(ə-)liŋ

Definition of rustle

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make or cause a rustle

2a : to act or move with energy or speed

b : to forage food

3 : to steal cattle

transitive verb

1 : to cause to rustle

2a : to obtain by one's own exertions —often used with up able to rustle up $5,000 bail— Jack McCallum

b : forage

3 : to steal (livestock) especially from a farm or ranch

rustle

noun

Definition of rustle (Entry 2 of 2)

: a quick succession or confusion of small sounds

Other Words from rustle Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about rustle

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Examples of rustle in a Sentence

Verb

The trees rustled in the wind. Her skirt rustled as she walked. He rustled the papers on his desk.

Noun

He heard a rustle of leaves behind him.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Her music is chirpy and kinetic, but weird chords and nervous bits rustling in the orchestra suggest that Josephine fears that his plan to enlist is dangerous. — New York Times, "A Soldier’s Racially Charged Suicide Becomes a Powerful Opera," 13 June 2018 Listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees. — Qing Li, Time, "‘Forest Bathing’ Is Great for Your Health. Here’s How to Do It," 1 May 2018 Shawn Butzin specializes in rustling country and twangy Americana, while Anthony Retka is a mood-setting, sigh-inducing folk singer. — Jeff Milo, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit music: Magic Bag hosts Native Howl, Gasoline Gypsies; War & Treaty at Otus Supply," 31 May 2018 On a recent visit that fell on the first day of summer, the sun glistened like diamonds off Hingham Bay as leaves rustled in the cool breeze. — BostonGlobe.com, "At World’s End in Hingham, wooded trails mingle with harbor view," 23 June 2018 Flies buzz around the goose guts in my dogpot, and a big black bumblebee, and everywhere birds are chirping and singing — sparrows and robins and warblers flitting in the branches, rustling in dead leaves, busy setting up homes here on the hill. — Seth Kantner, Anchorage Daily News, "We’re failing in our relationship with nature – and with each other," 9 June 2018 The Carpineti brothers claim the firm can, in this way, rustle up a pair of handmade Oxfords in as little as ten days, for about €360—less than a tenth of Lobb’s price. — The Economist, "Shoemakers bring bespoke footwear to the high street," 22 May 2018 Damaging winds and some thunderstorms are forecast to shake trees and rustle some metro Detroiters Friday. — Aleanna Siacon, Detroit Free Press, "Weather forecast: Powerful winds, storms to hit southeast Michigan," 4 May 2018 To pass the farm bill over Democratic opposition, GOP leaders will have to rustle up most of the votes for passage from their own side of the aisle, given the Republicans have a 235-193 seat majority. — Heather Haddon, WSJ, "House Republicans Tackle Next Battle: Wooing Their Own on Farm Bill," 6 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Save for the distant rumble of elephants and gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. — Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, "Skybeds Let You Sleep Under the Stars on an African Safari," 24 Apr. 2018 The boreal owl's roundish face is disk-shaped, like a radar antenna bouncing the slightest rustle of twigs to the owl's ears. — Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, "During long summer days in Alaska, Boreal owls perform by daylight," 30 June 2018 The instructions cut through the rustle of rolling bodies, the coach, slope shouldered, ears puffy with cauliflower topography, shouting his pleasure. — William D'urso, latimes.com, "Whether amateurs or the sport's best, MMA fighters flock to an Albuquerque gym known for producing champions," 21 May 2018 When Peck walked in, there was a rustle of excitement. — Sasha Weiss, New York Times, "Justin Peck Is Making Ballet That Speaks to Our Everyday Lives," 10 May 2018 The boardwalk is a highlight of the visit, with birdsong near and far, the knocking of woodpeckers on nearby trees and the rustle of small woodland creatures amid the flora. — Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Hendry County: Seminole history alive and well," 6 May 2018 Once there, Mulvihill and his neighbor heard a rustle in the bushes, saw the barrel of a gun and then the flash of gunfire. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Gun Instructor Who Tried to Kill Lover’s Husband: I Regret Cheating on My Wife More Than Shooting," 22 Mar. 2018 So the terrified engineer rustles everyone back and drags people in off the street to replace the original audience for a quick recreation. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "'The Death of Stalin' is brilliant madness," 22 Mar. 2018 Poppy’s voice has the soothing affect of an A.S.M.R. video, those recordings of rustles and whispers capable of evoking tingling sensations on the back of your neck. — Amanda Hess, New York Times, "The Rise of the Social Media Fembot," 4 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rustle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.