as in poaching
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as in scurrying
to proceed or move quickly
rustled around enthusiastically on the morning of the big trip
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Recent Examples of rustling
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
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
The Kohala Coast is living proof that nature is medicine, from the birdsong to the Tradewinds rustling the coconut palms to the deep blue-green waters of the Pacific lapping the shoreline.
—Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
There are rain showers, uplit shelves, televisions seemingly floating somewhere in the wall cavity, and curtains that expose the cube-like room to the rustling lemon trees with the flick of a button.
—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
Those rustling sounds in the brush might belong to deer — or not.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
In a matter of just a few days, the county judge, his son, his nephew, and one of his closest allies had been arrested in two separate incidents — the cattle-rustling case and the jury-duty hearing.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
The Kohala Coast is living proof that nature is medicine, from the birdsong to the Tradewinds rustling the coconut palms to the deep blue-green waters of the Pacific lapping the shoreline.
—Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
There are rain showers, uplit shelves, televisions seemingly floating somewhere in the wall cavity, and curtains that expose the cube-like room to the rustling lemon trees with the flick of a button.
—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
Those rustling sounds in the brush might belong to deer — or not.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
In a matter of just a few days, the county judge, his son, his nephew, and one of his closest allies had been arrested in two separate incidents — the cattle-rustling case and the jury-duty hearing.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rustling
Noun
-
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
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Under state law, abalone poaching can carry penalties of up to $40,000 in fines and one year in jail.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to The Athletic, video replay of the incident did show Homan’s finger grazing the rock.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The tip of his tongue was grazing her ear now, teasing it with dampness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Crushed like a scurrying cucaracha on the kitchen floor.—
Greg Cote
January 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are five restaurants and bars on site, including the Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace, which serves Peking duck with crackling, crispy skin.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The doctor hears crackling with every breath your daughter takes, as air moves through the fluid trapped in her lungs.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There were fights and looting, and by the afternoon, a fire was set at a shop on West Madison Street, according to the documentary notes.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
And, as bad as all that looting was, the wealth that remained in Congo constituted only a small percentage of what was being made on markets globally, and from the technology those minerals powered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 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 nun moved from one child to the next, tucking them back under the covers, rubbing backs,and whispering sweet words of affection.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The influencer was seen whispering into the ear of the football star and father of three as well as putting her hand on his back.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Murphy only wants to escape and regain custody of his daughter, Penny, but becomes entangled in Clancy’s perilous gold smuggling scheme, facing threats from both the treacherous wilderness and potential betrayal within his own group.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
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But the administration ultimately did not block it after hearing from communities grappling with deadly human smuggling cases that local law enforcement struggled to address, Meissner explained to NPR.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rustling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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