as in gossip
information or opinion that is widely disseminated without any authority or confirmation of accuracy
rumor has it that she's planning to shut down the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to whisper
to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy
for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of rumor
Amelia Lucas,brandon Gomez, CNBC, 6 May 2025
Previous rumors about the 17 Air have been promising, such as better performance than expected, hints about new colors, and how its thinness compared to the rest of the range could be remarkable.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 May 2025
Celebrity regulars such as Zendaya and Kim Kardashian are also rumored to be attending.
—Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Noun
In February, rumors spread on social media that Coke had reported undocumented workers to U.S. immigration authorities.
—Amelia Lucas,brandon Gomez, CNBC, 6 May 2025
Previous rumors about the 17 Air have been promising, such as better performance than expected, hints about new colors, and how its thinness compared to the rest of the range could be remarkable.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Verb
It’s been rumored that those who don’t follow the rules get banned.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 6 May 2025
Celebrity regulars such as Zendaya and Kim Kardashian are also rumored to be attending.
—Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumor
Noun
-
Sources told the gossip site in March that the legal woes weren’t a factor in their choice as their decision was made months before their drama with Baldoni unfolded.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
3 May 2025
-
Come for the scene-y details and celebrity gossip, stay for McNally’s genuine self-revelation.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Her voice is in the breeze that whispers through the wildflowers, her spirit in the hum of the bees.—
Carissa Talmage,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Police responded about 1:45 a.m. Sunday to the area of 1803 Paloma Avenue following reports of a vehicle burglary.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2025
-
Minutes later, police were called to a hospital for a report of a shooting victim seeking care.—
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
The list also reveals the male and female names that are the most popular: Olivia and Emma ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for girls, and Liam and Noah ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for boys.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
Even beyond the legal angle, this chaotic tariff regime reveals something more troubling: a total absence of strategic thinking.—
Aron Solomon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Initiate talks to extend Kempe The four-year, $22-million contract extension that Kempe signed in 2022 has been an unmitigated bargain.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
The regional bloc had shunned high-level talks with Myanmar since the coup, to avoid legitimizing the junta.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
In fact, Riley hinted the Heat may wait until next offseason to address a potential Herro extension.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Government ministers on both sides hint the dispute could escalate to military action.—
Riazat Butt,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
But once voters realize Red Flag laws allow the government to confiscate guns from people who haven't been charged with a crime—based on hearsay, behind closed doors—support crumbles.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Their arrival has broadly elevated the quality of Chinese-language news content on YouTube, which has long been awash with political hearsay and armchair analysis, media experts say.—
Wenxin Fan,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The government recently circulated a document to military commanders, detailing the objectives of the offensive.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
14 May 2025
-
While Brady didn't cite the line directly, it was widely circulated online.—
Tahar Rajab,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumor. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share