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. Cardozo
2
: 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
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026 There are also rumors that Golden is not a big fan of small college towns and would prefer to live on the West Coast. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026 Cue and a few other Apple executives were rumored to be in the succession mix months ago but the transition to Ternus has been in the works for some time in a surprisingly smooth, leak free and seemingly low-drama transition. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rumor
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.
Noun
It’s been a long road for the company since sale rumors picked up steam last summer. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026 There are also rumors that Golden is not a big fan of small college towns and would prefer to live on the West Coast. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The film explores the iconic partnership between Fonteyn, a 42-year-old prima ballerina and Britain’s most famous dancer, and Rudolf Nureyev, the 23-year-old rebellious Soviet defector who became her partner on stage (and, it was rumored, off it as well). —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026 Cue and a few other Apple executives were rumored to be in the succession mix months ago but the transition to Ternus has been in the works for some time in a surprisingly smooth, leak free and seemingly low-drama transition. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rumor
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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