rustling 1 of 2

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

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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

rustling

2 of 2

noun

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
During the 1880s, the brothers lived here and made their livelihood rustling cattle and horses, while at the same time disposing of unsuspecting ranchers who wandered too close to their hideout. Patti Nickell, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 End your drive with a stay at Chinati Hot Springs, and soak in the steaming springwater beneath rustling cottonwoods and the glittering expanse of Texas stars. Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025 In it, Carrie spends an awkward weekend with Aidan and his family in Virginia after spontaneously extending what otherwise would have been a day-trip; one scene shows Carrie rustling from sleep fully clothed and totally alone in his bed on her first morning there. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 15 Aug. 2025 In the Danube Delta, silence reigns—broken only by pelican wings, rustling reeds, and drifting river mist that veils the labyrinth of wetlands. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rustling
Verb
  • Most workshops can go on citing examples (and from each other’s writing, too, which is fun to do)―any perusal of course reading lists or an hour spent grazing the literature shelves of a bookstore yields numerous possible stories for discussion.
    Douglas Unger August 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Kardashian, 44, wore a head-turning lilac-gray gown designed with a high neckline, floor-grazing cape sleeves and a body-hugging silhouette that cinched her waist.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • With multiple Commanders defenders in pursuit, Burrow didn’t try to go out of bounds or slide, but rather turned around and tried scurrying away from them to keep the play alive.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Goodman’s novel is a tribute to her influences, and a crackling joy to read.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Scripted with fat-free economy by Austin Kolodney and made in the gritty, realistic style of Sidney Lumet’s ‘70s thrillers, the film pays tribute to Dog Day Afternoon while carving its own identity, led by a crackling performance full of unforced humor from Bill Skarsgard.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Originally, the patrols were conducting conservation work to monitor poaching and wildlife in the Khwae Noi River basin.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Payton thinks his team will be getting poached this summer rather than doing the poaching.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.
    Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Night approaches morning, whispering a rousing greeting.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For every person whispering white, there were 10 more standing at the ready who wanted to make the transition as painless as possible for those arriving from the Crescent City.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That incident unleashed rioting and looting, with the homes of political leaders—including that of the finance minister—attacked and government offices burned.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Local media reported isolated looting in Jakarta and damage to several transportation facilities in Jakarta on Friday, as well as demonstrations in the major cities of Bandung and Yogyakarta.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Plus-size segment remains underserved by apparel market Mallorie Dunn, a professor of fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and owner of SmartGlamour, a clothing line that offers the smallest and largest sizes, worries about the apparel retail market rushing to conclusions.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Why are fans rushing to see this movie?
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rustling. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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