rustled; rustling
ˈrə-s(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make or cause a rustle
2
a
: to act or move with energy or speed
b
: to forage food
3
: to steal cattle
1
: to cause to rustle
2
a
: to obtain by one's own exertions
—often used with up
able to rustle up $5,000 bail—
Jack McCallum
Jack McCallum
b
: forage
3
: to steal (livestock) especially from a farm or ranch
: a quick succession or confusion of small sounds
Synonyms
Examples of rustle in a Sentence
Verb
The trees rustled in the wind.
Her skirt rustled as she walked.
He rustled the papers on his desk.
Noun
He heard a rustle of leaves behind him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 26 Nov. 2024
Found it, door open and summer breeze rustling that dress in the window.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 21 July 2024
Scott Campbell, theweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Designed to be smaller for greater sustainability, these ships carry fewer passengers, creating a more intimate atmosphere where the sound of waves and the rustle of sails replace engine noise and odors.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rustle 
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Verb
The fall foliage that sets the hills ablaze come October has long scattered, rustling leaves underfoot giving way to the hush of snow.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 26 Nov. 2024
Found it, door open and summer breeze rustling that dress in the window.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 21 July 2024
Noun
The gentle rustle of pine trees swaying in the breeze, the soft curl of steam rising from hot natural springs, the golden glow of the sun slipping into Ago Bay all combine to create a meditative bliss.
—Scott Campbell, theweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Designed to be smaller for greater sustainability, these ships carry fewer passengers, creating a more intimate atmosphere where the sound of waves and the rustle of sails replace engine noise and odors.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rustle
Articles Related to rustle
Dictionary Entries Near rustle
Cite this Entry
“Rustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rustle. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rustle
1 of 2 verb
rus·tle
ˈrəs-əl
rustled; rustling
ˈrəs-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to make or cause to make a rustle
2
: to act or move with energy
3
: to steal (as cattle) from the range
rustle
2 of 2 noun
: a quick series of small sounds
the rustle of leaves
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