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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

rustles

2 of 2

noun

plural of rustle
as in whispers

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 rustles
Verb
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
  • To embody the creepy character, the Oscar winner’s strawberry blonde hair appeared to be multiple shades darker, akin to an auburn hue, while a fresh set of fringe grazes her brow bone.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 July 2026
  • The lob length grazes the shoulders, and fringe kicks off the confidence.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
Definition of grazes
Verb
  • 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
  • That goes for much here, from the light that scurries away from Benjamín Echazarreta’s muted camera, to the moments of sweetness that punctuate Mariá Portugal’s largely ominous score.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2026
Definition of scurries
Verb
  • As the Taser crackles, the recording device drops, briefly capturing part of a vehicle before flames erupt near the camera.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The baby monitor, propped up on the salad bowl, crackles in the background.
    — Imogen Crimp, Vogue, 20 July 2026
Definition of crackles
Noun
  • Moves for Anan Khalaili and Zavier Gozo are being finalised, and with both able to play right wing-back, there are whispers Daniel Munoz may be sold.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • There were anxious whispers behind the scenes ahead of the Bake Club July recipe reveal.
    — Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of whispers
Verb
  • After learning about the attack, Joe’s entire team rushes to her home, where the FBI is leading the investigation.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The salsa rushes the senses more thrillingly with its distinct, smoky-cherry notes from chile puya.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rushes
Verb
  • Crysencio Summerville squeaks it just inside the left post in the 64th minute to retake the lead for The Netherlands, 2-1.
    — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
  • Say your engine has an oil leak, the A/C fan belt squeaks intermittently, and the two front tires are close to bald.
    — Oc Register, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of squeaks
Noun
  • In these murmurs, Ullom wonders how much modern technology has led us astray.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For weeks, there have been murmurs in DC about a coming White House move to address the inevitability of powerful, open-source Chinese AI models being used by people and businesses across the globe.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 15 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

rustlers
rustles
rustling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rustles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rustles. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rustles

Nglish: Translation of rustles for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All