rustled; rustling
ˈrə-s(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make or cause a rustle
2
a
: to act or move with energy or speed
b
: to forage food
3
: to steal cattle
1
: to cause to rustle
2
a
: to obtain by one's own exertions
—often used with up
… able to rustle up $5,000 bail …—
Jack McCallum
Jack McCallum
b
: forage
3
: to steal (livestock) especially from a farm or ranch
: a quick succession or confusion of small sounds
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
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Thompson’s Anna Andrews initially appears as a frantic figure in a ratty hoodie, chugging wine from the bottle and rustling around an Atlanta apartment that is in an alarming state of disarray.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The manic tapping of stenos, the sounds of shuffling feet, and the rustles of discomfort in the room as the Chuschas rouse to defend one of their beloved leaders all contribute to a surreal, horror movie-like soundscape.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rustle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
There are rain showers, uplit shelves, televisions seemingly floating somewhere in the wall cavity, and curtains that expose the cube-like room to the rustling lemon trees with the flick of a button.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Thompson’s Anna Andrews initially appears as a frantic figure in a ratty hoodie, chugging wine from the bottle and rustling around an Atlanta apartment that is in an alarming state of disarray.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Even Super Dog makes an appearance — cape, mask and all — ready to leap into action the moment a snack bag rustles.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
The manic tapping of stenos, the sounds of shuffling feet, and the rustles of discomfort in the room as the Chuschas rouse to defend one of their beloved leaders all contribute to a surreal, horror movie-like soundscape.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rustle
Cite this Entry
“Rustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rustle. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rustle
1 of 2 verb
rus·tle
ˈrəs-əl
rustled; rustling
ˈrəs-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to make or cause to make a rustle
2
: to act or move with energy
3
: to steal (as cattle) from the range
rustle
2 of 2 noun
: a quick series of small sounds
the rustle of leaves
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share