rustling 1 of 2

Definition of rustlingnext

rustling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rustle
1
as in grazing
to feed on grass or herbs just take the steer out to pasture and let it rustle for itself

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in crackling
to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving my pet peeve is candy wrappers rustling during a movie

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 rustling
Noun
From the anti-Trump side, meanwhile, the American people hear a nervous rustling of vague doubts. David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026 In the teaser, above, Joanna, 47, can be seen speaking on-camera discussing the plans for the construction of the home on the balcony before a rustling can be heard coming from the woods behind her. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025 The soft rustling of the tent flaps and the occasional distant dog barking underscored our vigil. Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025 But most exciting was any sudden splash, or a strange, distant cry, or a mysterious rustling in the thick shore brush. Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025 Great gray owls hunt blind, flying low, listening to the faintest rustling of a mouse beneath snow. Kate Siber, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025 The dense canopy of trees, the rustling of leaves, and the interplay of light and shadow that evoke mood and emotions. Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Instead, attendees showed each other support by rustling their signs. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026 Maybe light or noise filters into your room, or your partner starts rustling or snoring around the same time early each morning. Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Feb. 2026 Soon, though, the wall came alive—a colony of rustling and chirping, a frantic rodent argument. Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026 The mystery of the dead cows was never solved, but Skeet and three other men were arrested for cattle rustling. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026 This tranquil setting, with the sounds of the waves and palm trees rustling in the tropical breezes, sets the tone. Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026 As such, its mass of untamed, scrubby green can today be traipsed through on foot or horseback, via ethereal blue coves such as Cala Marinella, the odd wandering fox and to the soothing rhythm of Aleppo pines rustling in the hot wind. Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026 Thompson’s Anna Andrews initially appears as a frantic figure in a ratty hoodie, chugging wine from the bottle and rustling around an Atlanta apartment that is in an alarming state of disarray. Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026 For extra comfort, the quilt is designed to be cool to the touch for hot sleepers, resist static to prevent that annoying clingy sensation, and reduce noise when rustling around. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rustling
Noun
  • In an effort to help prevent poaching in Kenya, Kent in 1982 founded Friends of Conservation, a group supporting wildlife conservation and education projects in East Africa.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Lucas, during his speech on Wednesday, offered a brief nod at the border war, referencing — but not directly mentioning — Missouri and Kansas City’s recent decisions to exit an economic truce with Kansas that limited cross-state business poaching.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The video goes on to show the gunman turn to his right and fire a third shot, grazing a second victim.
    Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Bechtel family allowed cattle grazing on the ranch, which POST will continue.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Iranian missiles have sent Israelis scurrying for shelters multiple times a day and night.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • DeMar DeRozan just slammed a water bottle to the floor, sending several courtside attendants scurrying into action to mop up the mess.
    HECTOR AMEZCUA, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile the recent paper based on Perseverance data found dozens of examples of crackling sounds produced by small electrical discharges during dust storms near the rover.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Inside, a library and living room invite guests to sit and play a game of chess or rest by a large crackling fire.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Saleh Abu Alamah A statue of the Nubian god Apademak stands alone in the courtyard of Sudan’s National Museum, one of the few survivors of systematic looting amid a conflict that has developed into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
  • There is no widespread panic or looting.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.
    Megan Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The video showed Styles whispering something into Jordan’s ear.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • In every part of the world, someone is whispering in the ear of someone else that justice is near and that the fight is upon them.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • According to court records, the family was taken hostage by the human smuggling organization, which demanded money from relatives.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • That chat led to an introduction to customs officer Sumit Sarkar, whose candid insights into how smuggling networks and customs operations actually function became the backbone of the series.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rustling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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