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 Example Sentences Learn More about rustle

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Synonyms for rustle

Synonyms: Verb

browse, forage, graze, pasture

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

Most echolocation is at a very high frequency, and large ears amplify more low-frequency sounds, like rustling prey, says Aaron Corcoran, a National Geographic Explorer and research assistant professor at Wake Forest University. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "This animal has the biggest ears on Earth (relative to size)," 12 Apr. 2019 There, in the center, 250 Handmaids' gowns hang limp, lifeless in a row; rustling only when the breeze of someone rushing over to the Marthas whisks by. — Lindsay Schallon, Glamour, "The Surprising Way the Trumps Inspired The Handmaid's Tale This Season," 5 June 2019 Teachers talk about being warned against wearing shoes that clack and clothes that rustle. — Ann Doss Helms, charlotteobserver, "Cover the ABCs. Silence the kids. Test time in NC can be intense, teachers say.," 31 May 2018 Eventually, rustling ball gowns and trim tuxedos found their way to the dinner space, dressed in winter whites with branch-laden clusters for table arrangements—guests might have felt as though they had just stepped into a snow globe. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "The New York Botanical Garden Hosts Its 20th Annual Winter Wonderland Ball," 17 Dec. 2018 The only sound was the wind rustling the leaves of the aspens nearby. — Cheryl Strayed, Vogue, "Is Glamping Camping? Wild’s Cheryl Strayed Tackles the Question—in Style," 17 July 2018 According to Chrissy’s Instagram, the couple’s glamorous night to remember ended in style, with chicken tacos in bed and a batch of 1 a.m. pancakes on the sofa, rustled up by the EGOT winner himself. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Chrissy Teigen Celebrates John Legend's EGOT Win With Some Red Carpet PDA," 10 Sep. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Each noise becomes uncharacteristically augmented, including every finger snap, keyboard tap, or rustle of paper. — Patrick Lucas Austin, Time, "We Tried Dolby's $600 Dimension Headphones. Are They Worth the Massive Price Tag?," 2 July 2019 This UNESCO Heritage Site falls into a peaceful quiet during the winter, broken only by the rustle of wind and the purrs of friendly neighborhood cats. — Elizabeth Wellington, Vogue, "For Authentic Ibiza, Visit in the Winter," 15 Feb. 2019 Unfortunately, morning on the river starts before sunrise, when the boatmen fire up the outboards and the hornbills start squawking and the rustle of leaves hints at the primates feeding in the canopy. — Paul Brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "Want Serious Bragging Rights? Do a Road Trip Across Borneo," 16 Nov. 2018 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

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.