rustle
verb (used without object)
to make a succession of slight, soft sounds, as of parts rubbing gently one on another, as leaves, silks, or papers.
were rustling
-
past progressiveof rustle.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The winds of change were rustling, if not yet blowing, and Britain’s global manufacturing dominance wasn’t to return.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 9, 2022
Jordan bought Cowboys season tickets, and Steven said Shawn were rustling up more seats so that they could spend Thanksgiving at Jerry Jones’s 100,000-seat palace in Arlington, watching the Cowboys host the undefeated Carolina Panthers.
From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2015
It is not like we were rustling sheep from the manger scene in front of the city auditorium, or absconding with the Three Wise Men, which I think would be hard to pawn anyway.
From Southern Living ● Nov. 8, 2011
There were rustling sounds from the tent and the sides pooched out as if they were trying to stand up.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
The air was thick with them, fluttering yellow from the branches; for there was a warm and gentle breeze blowing softly in the valley, and the reeds were rustling, and the willow-boughs were creaking.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
