RUMBLE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

rumble 1 of 2

verb

ˈrəm-bəl

Definition of rumble

as in to growl

to make a low heavy rolling sound when thunder rumbled in the distant sky, we wisely began packing up our picnic

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rumble

2 of 2

noun

as in rumbling

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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 rumble

Verb

With a favorable 2026 schedule, donors warming up and quarterback Nico Iamaleava on board, UCLA’s football bandwagon is rumbling back to life. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 This ground beef casserole will satisfy all the rumbling stomachs at your table. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026

Noun

If possible, stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Kids who grew up near those hills remember the rumble and roar of Rocketdyne testing another rocket engine and the cloudbanks of smoke from the test firings. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rumble

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumble

Verb

At the other end of our road, the cranes of the docks loomed — great Stothert and Pitt machines that growled overhead like something out of Star Wars, guarding the scale and mystery of the River Thames.

— Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
For Yard Act, who growled onto the world stage with a crunchy aggressive post-punk sound, slowing down (as much as workaholic rockstars can) brought them to a lighter sound.

— E.R. Pulgar, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of growl

Noun

There have been some media rumblings that the Denver Nuggets may be open to discussing possible trade offers for former Kansas standout Christian Braun, who has played four seasons — including a championship campaign in 2022-23 — with the NBA team.

— Gary Bedore June 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
In retrospect, the Greenland crisis carried the early rumblings of a new American rampage through international affairs, a campaign of imperial displays across three continents that culminated with the war in Iran.

— Joshua Hunt, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026

Definition of rumbling

Verb

The grant program is administered by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, or SEEC, Connecticut’s elections watchdog, and campaign treasurers grumble and groan to this day about nit-picking SEEC expenditures accountability requirements.

— Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Aside from social media posts complaining about the war’s fallout and some grumbling from oligarchs about the Kremlin seizing their assets, there are still no signs of any widespread popular unrest against Vladimir Putin’s regime.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of grumble

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rum

rumble

rumbled

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Style

“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumble. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rumble

verb

noun

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