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
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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
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Recent Examples of rumor
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 May 2026
The duo also sparked reconciliation rumors in April when Diggs attended a stop on Cardi's Little Miss Drama Tour at Capital One Arena on April 8.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
In a moment when larger fairs are rumored by market insiders to be having trouble filling up their booths, some dealers are betting on small fairs, often in stylish hotels, some of them away from art-market hubs, as a way to offer a different kind of experience.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Noun
Retinol also has a reputation for making skin more reactive to the sun, but is this true or just a rumor?
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 May 2026
The duo also sparked reconciliation rumors in April when Diggs attended a stop on Cardi's Little Miss Drama Tour at Capital One Arena on April 8.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Verb
Casting was first rumored six weeks ago by TheInSneider.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
In a moment when larger fairs are rumored by market insiders to be having trouble filling up their booths, some dealers are betting on small fairs, often in stylish hotels, some of them away from art-market hubs, as a way to offer a different kind of experience.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumor
Noun
-
Fulton covers sections of the city east of the 101 Freeway, writing voicey blurbs that collect upcoming events, intriguing real-estate listings, and niche celebrity gossip.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Through scenes of gossip, frolicking and even a foot chase as cops try to shut the revelry down, Basholli introduces her setting (Prishtina, Kosovo in the late ‘90s) as though the audience were an eager participant in every conversation, and privy to the girls’ secrets.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Two staffers next to me whispered to each other, catching up about their week off.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
And so someone might come past me and whisper over my shoulder.—
Emily Elias,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Because his stance on climate change conflicts with overwhelming scientific consensus, the president has removed climate information from federal websites, approved scientifically unsound reports that favor fossil fuels, and gutted key scientific agencies and boards.—
Joseph Bonasia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
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The report argued that US export controls have slowed China’s ability to scale frontier AI development.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The necropsies also revealed pneumonia and infections from a broad array of pathogens.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
Strout indicates that their potential will be fulfilled in short, jump-ahead passages — one of the passages reveals that Artie inspires an awkward girl named Rhonda to help other people by becoming a minister.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The most recent back-and-forth over talks comes after a week of sporadic clashes in the Persian Gulf, amid a month-long ceasefire.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Markets have soared and oil prices have dropped over the last week, however, amid anticipation that a deal could be close after weeks of talks and occasional setbacks.—
Peter Nicholas,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
Verb
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At the last rate-setting meeting in April, three members of the committee hinted their next move could as easily be a rate increase as a cut.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 May 2026
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Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Noun
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District Attorney James Stainton objected that the answer would call for hearsay.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
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Rather than operating on hearsay or memory, both of which are highly fallible, a flowchart outlines precisely what each section of a team is doing and allows everyone to work together in greater synchrony.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Videos of the interactions have circulated on social media and were shown on local TV news reports.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Chu also pushed back against anti-Asian sentiment that quickly began to circulate online and in some media outlets.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumor. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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