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rumbling

rumbling

75 3.2
A deep low sound that you can hear for a long time, often from thunder, machines, or your stomach
  • noun
  • /ˈrʌmblɪŋ/
translation icon : retumbo
  • Although both measures were swiftly defeated, they set off rumblings across the country.

But less than an hour later, I felt the rumbles.

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Examples

  • The sound grew and became the uneven rumbling of a plane's engines.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We danced and danced until noontime when we heard the rumbling of my father's truck coming.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • But then the rumbling became very loud, running in toward them over the plain.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The babies were between cries, and the children suspended play while the rumbling continued.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Gradually, they could hear the voices resume, heard the low rumblings of arguments, but controlled now.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • There was a sporadic rumbling whoosh, like the sound of the sea within a coiled shell.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Congo's revolution actually began with subdued rumblings for political reform in early 1990.

    Academic text (1994)
  • With a great mechanical churning and rumbling, the train bore Saneko away from Shiojiri station.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The lightning was closer now, and thunder was audible, low rumblings not quite absorbed by the hostel's thickened walls.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We could hear a deep rumbling in the distance as the storm approached.

Synonyms

noise
vsrumbling
1.0

A loud, unpleasant sound that disturbs you

is specifically a deep low continuous sound, not any noisy sound
roll
vsrumbling
218 2.7

A long deep sound from drums or thunder

focuses more on a long low tone rather than rhythmic rapidity
roar
vsrumbling
142 1.0

A loud deep continuous sound made by animals, crowds, or machines

is similar but often less powerful or threatening in volume
hum
vsrumbling
85 1.0

A low steady sound made by machines or many people

is usually deeper and can be louder than this steady background sound
murmur
vsrumbling
36 4.1

A low, quiet sound made by people speaking softly or by small movements

is louder and clearer rather than faint or indistinct
roaring
vsrumbling
30 3.4

A deep loud sound like an animal or thunder

is the same idea but can be calmer or less intense
rumble
vsrumbling
29 3.1

A low, continuous sound you can feel

is the same meaning but in a different grammatical form
to whirr
vsrumbling
16 6.7

To make a soft, steady buzzing sound often from things that move fast like fan blades

is lower pitched and less vibration-focused than this mechanical sound
murmuring
vsrumbling
11 3.4

A low continuous sound made by voices or nature

is generally louder and more forceful than this quiet background noise
humming
vsrumbling
5 2.7

A low steady sound like bees or a machine running

is lower pitched and more forceful than this steady hum
grumble
vsrumbling
2 2.7

A long low dull sound like distant thunder

is generally stronger and often louder than this softer sound
tummy rumble
vsrumbling
  • Informal
1 4.4

A low sound your stomach makes when you are hungry

is broader and applies to various sources not only the body
rolling
vsrumbling
1 3.7

A deep continuous sound like thunder or large bells

is similar but more often tied to natural deep low noises

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Loud

to thunder
7 1.0
roar
142 1.0
rumbling
75 3.2
hum
85 1.0
murmur
36 4.1

Surface Forms

rumbling singular
rumblings plural

Morphology

rumbling = rumble (transparent) = rumble + ing

Deverbal noun formed by adding the productive suffix '-ing' to 'rumble', so the meaning ('a continuous deep sound') is directly derived.

Etymology

The word rumbling comes from the simple sound word rumble, which copies a deep, rolling noise like 'boom' or 'hum'. So a rumbling is a long, low sound you might hear from thunder, a train, or an empty stomach.