rumbling

[ ruhm-bling ]

noun

1. Often rumblings. the first signs of dissatisfaction or grievance.
2. rumble ( def 7 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumbling¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; rumble, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In the Golden State, the nation’s most populous and economically mighty, Trump’s claimed mandate seemed muted, like a rumbling from elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times

“Even though the orchestra will be performing in semi-darkness, having a foley artist could be intriguing on a visual level. He will be playing the sounds of the bats flapping their wings — the rumbling thunderstorm, and the rain.”

From Los Angeles Times

Israel is now fighting its first three-front war in half a century, this time along the borders of Gaza to the south, Lebanon to the north, and the occupied West Bank to the east—and farther east are the rumbling storm clouds of a war with Iran, which could escalate into a wider war still, drawing in the United States, among others.

From Slate

But while rubbing shoulders with Formula 1 stars and feeling the rumbling roar of their engines, the shy teen got his first real taste of the life he was doggedly chasing.

From BBC

It was early morning in mid-December when I awoke to the sounds of steady rumbling while lying in the top bunk in my 9-by-5-foot family room in Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• detonation
• explosion
• roar
• rumble