rustle
4 synonyms for rustle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
“She heard a rustle in the bushes and froze.”
2. verb
To make or move with this soft crackling sound.
“The pages rustled as the wind blew through the open window.”
How to use rustle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
rustle of leaves
rustle up
cattle rustling
Etymology
From Middle English rustelen, likely echoing the sound itself — a word built to imitate the noise it describes.
Full origin of rustle →Frequently asked questions
What does “rustle” mean?
The word “rustle” means a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving. In plain terms, a soft crackly sound like dry leaves, or (informally) stealing cattle.
How do you pronounce “rustle”?
“Rustle” is pronounced RUH-suhl (/ˈɹʌsəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rustle” in a sentence?
Here is “rustle” used in a sentence: “She heard a rustle in the bushes and froze.”
What part of speech is “rustle”?
Depending on how it is used, “rustle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rustle” come from?
The word “rustle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rustelen, likely echoing the sound itself — a word built to imitate the noise it describes.
How many meanings does “rustle” have?
“Rustle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
