rumbled; rumbling
ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to make a low heavy rolling sound
thunder rumbling in the distance
2
: to travel with a low reverberating sound
wagons rumbled into town
3
: to speak in a low rolling tone
4
: to engage in a rumble
1
: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
2
British
: to reveal or discover the true character of
1
a
: a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of thunder)
b
: low frequency noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup
2
: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
3
a
: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
b
: a street fight especially among gangs
Synonyms
Examples of rumble in a Sentence
Verb
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
The train rumbles through town twice a day.
We watched as the trucks rumbled past.
The gangs rumbled in the alley.
Noun
I was awakened by the rumble of a train passing by.
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Shackelford, Taylor Ward and Eric Zerkel, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Highlighted by George Kittle’s 43-yard reception and rumble down to the goal line, and punctuated by Isaac Guerendo’s short touchdown run, the 49ers are in front.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Oct. 2024
Founded in 2013 by Kern Brantley as a tribute to the late, great Funk Brothers bassist James Jamerson, the free event has become a staple of the museum’s late-summer calendar, summoning a mass low-end rumble at Motown’s birthplace.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rumble 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Severe storms rumbled to life early Wednesday afternoon in parts of Kansas and Nebraska and quickly pushed into parts of Iowa and Missouri.
—Robert Shackelford, Taylor Ward and Eric Zerkel, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Highlighted by George Kittle’s 43-yard reception and rumble down to the goal line, and punctuated by Isaac Guerendo’s short touchdown run, the 49ers are in front.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Get ready for a rumble when Washington takes on the defending national champion Wolverines this weekend.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 3 Oct. 2024
Founded in 2013 by Kern Brantley as a tribute to the late, great Funk Brothers bassist James Jamerson, the free event has become a staple of the museum’s late-summer calendar, summoning a mass low-end rumble at Motown’s birthplace.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rumble
Dictionary Entries Near rumble
Cite this Entry
“Rumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumble. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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