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
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Recent Examples of rumor
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2026
Deputies said a large crowd formed at Plaza Mexico after the rumor spread through the restaurant and social media.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
It was rumored that Duterte was about to be arrested by the International Criminal Court.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Noun
However, neither person has confirmed nor denied the rumors.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2026
Deputies said a large crowd formed at Plaza Mexico after the rumor spread through the restaurant and social media.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Tesla repeatedly teased a much cheaper Tesla, rumored to sell for about $25,000 thanks to revolutionary changes in manufacturing.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
It was rumored that Duterte was about to be arrested by the International Criminal Court.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumor
Noun
-
In the Chinese capital, teahouses are a place to gossip, play mahjong and discuss politics over tea, perhaps with a kung fu show or a comedy act in the background.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The two have a life-changing encounter as a masquerade ball, but societal convention and the power of gossip — driven by formerly anonymous columnist Lady Whistledown (Nicola Coughlan) — threaten to destroy their connection.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Returning to his role as the Joker is Barry Keoghan, and Paul Dano is also whispered to reprise his role as the Riddler.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Malka Gorman was taken to an infirmary for care, but instead young Erna heard caregivers whispering that her mother was Jewish.—
Edie Kasten,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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According to a Forbes report, the app store is built on OM1, OpenMind’s modular operating system, which allows developers to create apps that package specific skills for distribution across multiple robot platforms.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
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Coleman declined to pursue the case, a police report said.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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New England’s notoriously harsh weather once again revealed itself with a vengeance this past weekend, bringing extremely frigid temperatures to Connecticut and pummeling the state with nearly two feet of snow.—
Steve Sullivan,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
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The Kennedy cousin formerly at the center of the notorious case involving the death of Martha Moxley, the daughter of an affluent Connecticut family, has broken his silence to reveal new loose ends and theories regarding the decades-long mystery.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Try to plan your visit during the Dark Sky Festival, held annually in the late winter or early spring, to meet up with fellow stargazing enthusiasts and hear astronomy talks by park rangers.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Beyond money, other issues expected to be hammered out in CBA talks include the length of the season, facility and travel standards, retirement benefits and changes to rookie deals.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The defense on Monday also presented evidence that Quatisha was unconscious after suffering a head injury, hinting that the girl wasn’t awake when alligators bit parts of her body.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2026
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Bittersweet Baking Chocolate As the name hints, this chocolate has some sugar added to it.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Smith said her testimony was second-hand hearsay.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
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Former special counsel Jack Smith repeatedly sidestepped pointed questions about the credibility of January 6 committee witness Cassidy Hutchinson, despite previously acknowledging her most explosive claims amounted to secondhand hearsay.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two members of the Coordination Framework confirmed to The Associated Press having received the message, a copy of which was circulated widely on social media.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Hynde and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne circulated Standing in the Doorway as nine revelatory installments of a Dylan Lockdown Series, and for her, too, the adventure originated in Rough and Rowdy Ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumor. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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