rustles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rustle
1
as in grazes
to feed on grass or herbs just take the steer out to pasture and let it rustle for itself

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2
as in scurries
to proceed or move quickly rustled around enthusiastically on the morning of the big trip

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crackles
to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving my pet peeve is candy wrappers rustling during a movie

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rustles

2 of 2

noun

plural of rustle
as in whispers

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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 rustles
Verb
And, for one entire episode, a gentle breeze rustles the branches of a weeping willow as an inaudible conversation takes place nearby. — Josh Gondelman, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026 Birds chirp, and the breeze rustles the leaves. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026 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 Meanwhile, hikers trace goat paths to the secluded Tatevi Anapat Hermitage, where wind rustles through fig trees and the only sound is the echo of footfalls on ancient stone. — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rustles
  1. grazes
  2. scurries
  3. crackles
  4. whispers
  5. rushes
  6. squeaks
  7. murmurs
  8. hurries
Verb
  • When the drone flies near an object and a whisker grazes or bends against a surface, the pressure changes at the base are measured in under two milliseconds, enabling the drone to calculate contact location and depth with millimeter precision.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The ranch already grazes its cattle on the adjacent public parcel through a lease with the BLM.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of grazes
Verb
  • Inside Botánica Santo Tomas in Wilton Manors, store owner Héctor Giovanni Pizarro Santana sweeps the floor as his tiny Chihuahua, Bella, scurries behind him.
    — Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Alicent scurries the great halls, desperate to shore up support for her plan to hand Rhaenyra the Red Keep.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of scurries
Verb
  • Beyond that sky-high point, Jocelyn Bioh’s 2017 comedy still crackles.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Anon crackles with plenty of its own distinctive, wicked wit.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of crackles
Noun
  • Wildwood is a dark tale, with whispers of a witch, set against the beautiful yet formidable backdrop of rural New England.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In Park Slope, for example, the whispers start even before the first leaf turns.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of whispers
Verb
  • Bengals running back Corey Dillon rushes for an NFL single-game record 278 yards in a 31-21 victory over the Denver Broncos.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rushes
Verb
  • Podcasts editor Drew Broussard squeaks in under the wire to return this crew to form.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeaks
Noun
  • Following murmurs of a cameo, director James Watkins confirmed that Aaron Paul makes a brief appearance in the DCU movie as Matt’s (Harries) father, who raised him in the slums of Gotham City.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In these murmurs, Ullom wonders how much modern technology has led us astray.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of murmurs
Verb
  • If someone hurries you, slow the exchange and name what feels good in your body, like sitting down before deciding on plans.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
  • Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
Definition of hurries

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Cite this Entry

“Rustles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rustles. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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