as in whispers
to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy
for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rumors
Throughout March, rumors that West had begun dating his co-star Amanda Batula flooded gossip sites, though the two continuously denied said claims.
—
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
In the days leading into the draft, rumors that the Chiefs were eyeing a trade up in the order were bubbling.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The Chicago rumors A few weeks ago, multiple reports started to spread on social media that the PWHL would land in Chicago, and play at the new Blackhawks Ice Center in the same 2,0000-seat rink as the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In early 2024, rumors that the series was kaput swirled online, prompting HBO to release a statement that season 3 was still on the way.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
In the days leading into the draft, rumors that the Chiefs were eyeing a trade up in the order were bubbling.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The Chicago rumors A few weeks ago, multiple reports started to spread on social media that the PWHL would land in Chicago, and play at the new Blackhawks Ice Center in the same 2,0000-seat rink as the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In early 2024, rumors that the series was kaput swirled online, prompting HBO to release a statement that season 3 was still on the way.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumors
Verb
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This isn’t a grabby, attention seeker of a film, but a quiet, watchful sort of movie that whispers its secrets sotto voce.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
In early April, whispers within the birder community led Weidner to a different eagle nesting at a park on the Southeast Side.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Some hints about what is happening The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
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Despite getting demoted from protagonist to fatality victim, Tan hints that he might not be done with Mortal Kombat — even if Cole and his now-two-dimensional noggin are.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Yale’s Budget Lab reports that the tariffs have raised about two hundred and fifteen billion dollars in revenues.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Either way, when the team reports for training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe in late July, Rodgers will run out with the starters with the goal of leading the Steelers back to the playoffs while eyeing the franchise’s first postseason victory in a decade.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Gray and his superb cast are in blazing form and full command here in a bruising movie that reveals the heavy price of pursuing the American Dream too recklessly, instead of heeding Aeschylus’ words.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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But tending to two people reveals the fine line between freedom and precarity.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumors. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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