whis·per·ing
ˈ(h)wi-sp(ə-)riŋ 
1
: making a sibilant sound
2
: spreading confidential and especially derogatory reports
whispering tongues can poison truth—
S. T. Coleridge
S. T. ColeridgeExamples of whispering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAnthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
In footage that circulated on social media from the show’s live feed, the mother of two had her right hand on the Cartier chain frequently throughout the night, and she and the New York City native were often seen whispering to each other and sharing quick kisses as the show went on.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024
On one hand, there was a bevy of huge, crazy Tribal Councils with last-second whispering and maneuvering, leading to jaw-dropping exits.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2023
On one hand, there was a bevy of huge, crazy Tribal Councils with last-second whispering and maneuvering leading to jaw-dropping exits.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 18 May 2023
What will linger, no question, is the score by Mica Levi, who seems to make music out of pain, replete with whisperings and groans.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023
When Owen, not party to any of this, claims to hear whisperings from one Jack Grey, Richard should perhaps be more worried; instead, his suspicions run to longtime neighboring farmer Gordon (Sean Gilder, deftly veering between bluff and aggressive), another local keeper of folklore.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2023
Shaking his head, throwing his hands in the air, whispering, former President Donald Trump appeared frustrated Wednesday in a New York City courtroom during his ongoing civil trial.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2023
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill trinkets – these are statement pieces that might just set the whole block whispering.
—Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
In the vast and whispering sands of AlUla, an ancient landscape where history breathes from the very earth, Desert X AlUla 2024 unfurls as a breathtaking canvas for contemporary art.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024
Visitors also marvel at the whispering walls beneath the main concourse where visitors can chat with each quietly over great distances as sound travels up the vaulted ceiling; and at Grand Central's signature 14-foot central Tiffany clock.
—Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
Darragh consoles her, hand on shoulder, face up close and whispering encouragement, then offering hugs and slices of clementine.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
The woman who had recognized him from Dancing With the Stars was whispering to the older man.
—Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2023
In many ways, these bottle-breaking videos are the antithesis to ‘traditional’ ASMR videos — the ones that are defined by soft, gentle noises; a scratch of nails, a whispering voice, or crinkling paper.
—Shaeden Berry, refinery29.com, 20 July 2023
Actors in medieval costumes are talking in small groups, choreographers are nervously pacing, a producer is heatedly whispering, and Bartlett Sher, 64, the director, is standing in an aisle near the back, watching silently, like a captain on the prow of his ship.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
Because of an intense whispering campaign in Marion, Carrie took her only child, a daughter named Isabelle, to Berlin in September 1911 for schooling.
—James D. Robenalt, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Apr. 2023
Noun
Right before the vote, Bhanu approached Kenzie, Q and Tiffany one by one whispering to ask who to vote for.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
In footage that circulated on social media from the show’s live feed, the mother of two had her right hand on the Cartier chain frequently throughout the night, and she and the New York City native were often seen whispering to each other and sharing quick kisses as the show went on.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024
On one hand, there was a bevy of huge, crazy Tribal Councils with last-second whispering and maneuvering, leading to jaw-dropping exits.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2023
On one hand, there was a bevy of huge, crazy Tribal Councils with last-second whispering and maneuvering leading to jaw-dropping exits.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 18 May 2023
What will linger, no question, is the score by Mica Levi, who seems to make music out of pain, replete with whisperings and groans.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023
When Owen, not party to any of this, claims to hear whisperings from one Jack Grey, Richard should perhaps be more worried; instead, his suspicions run to longtime neighboring farmer Gordon (Sean Gilder, deftly veering between bluff and aggressive), another local keeper of folklore.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2023
Shaking his head, throwing his hands in the air, whispering, former President Donald Trump appeared frustrated Wednesday in a New York City courtroom during his ongoing civil trial.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2023
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill trinkets – these are statement pieces that might just set the whole block whispering.
—Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Visitors also marvel at the whispering walls beneath the main concourse where visitors can chat with each quietly over great distances, as sound travels up the vaulted ceiling.
—Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
In the vast and whispering sands of AlUla, an ancient landscape where history breathes from the very earth, Desert X AlUla 2024 unfurls as a breathtaking canvas for contemporary art.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024
Visitors also marvel at the whispering walls beneath the main concourse where visitors can chat with each quietly over great distances as sound travels up the vaulted ceiling; and at Grand Central's signature 14-foot central Tiffany clock.
—Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
Darragh consoles her, hand on shoulder, face up close and whispering encouragement, then offering hugs and slices of clementine.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
The woman who had recognized him from Dancing With the Stars was whispering to the older man.
—Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2023
In many ways, these bottle-breaking videos are the antithesis to ‘traditional’ ASMR videos — the ones that are defined by soft, gentle noises; a scratch of nails, a whispering voice, or crinkling paper.
—Shaeden Berry, refinery29.com, 20 July 2023
Actors in medieval costumes are talking in small groups, choreographers are nervously pacing, a producer is heatedly whispering, and Bartlett Sher, 64, the director, is standing in an aisle near the back, watching silently, like a captain on the prow of his ship.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023
Because of an intense whispering campaign in Marion, Carrie took her only child, a daughter named Isabelle, to Berlin in September 1911 for schooling.
—James D. Robenalt, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whispering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Whispering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whispering. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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