1
: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source
We make our blunders … as rumor has it that you make your own.—
Benjamin N. Cardozo
Benjamin N. Cardozo2
: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth
She accused them of spreading rumors about her.
"Have you heard they broke up?" "That's just a rumor."
3
archaic
: talk or report of a notable person or event
4
: a soft low indistinct sound : murmur
Examples of rumor in a Sentence
Noun
There are rumors that they are making a new film.
She accused him of starting rumors about her.
Ever since his sudden resignation, rumors have been flying.
I heard a rumor that they broke up.
“Did you hear that they broke up?” “That's just a rumor.”
The rumor turned out to be false.
You can't fire him solely based on rumor.
Rumor has it that they broke up.
Verb
for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement
Recent Examples on the Web
Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
Heading into BravoCon, rumors circulated that The Real Housewives of New York City was undergoing a cast shakeup, which would keep some newbies and bring back some of the original cast members.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Both huge-market clubs have been rumored to be in the Tucker sweepstakes.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
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Noun
With his success at Ole Miss, Kiffin has consistently been linked to rumors about other openings across the sport—some of which are considered more attractive or potentially lucrative than his current position.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
Heading into BravoCon, rumors circulated that The Real Housewives of New York City was undergoing a cast shakeup, which would keep some newbies and bring back some of the original cast members.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025
Verb
Interim athletic director Verge Ausberry has shot down any talk of Nick Saban reuniting with the program, but Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has been rumored as a candidate.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Both huge-market clubs have been rumored to be in the Tucker sweepstakes.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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