rumor
Talk without proof
A rumor is unverified information passed from person to person, often about someone's private affairs or about events of public interest.
Rumors may turn out true or false—the defining feature is that they circulate before confirmation: Rumors of layoffs spread through the office.
The verb means to circulate such information, usually passive: It's rumored that they're getting divorced.
British spelling: rumour.
Unverified secondhand information
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
buzz · innuendo · dirt · grapevine · backbiting · slander · chatter · talk
Intentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
fabrication · canard · lie · myth · untruth · distortion · misrepresentation · smear
Move in a loop
- propagateSpread or breed further
- disseminateSpread information widely
- leakEscape through a breach
- whisperSpeech without full voice
broadcast · relay · share · float · pass along · spread like wildfire · viral · buzz
Assertion lacking proof
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- unfoundedWithout factual support
- baselessLacking factual support
groundless · unproven · uncorroborated · questionable · dubious · unofficial · speculation · supposed
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
covert · cloak-and-dagger · cabal · whispering campaign · palace intrigue · backroom · hush-hush · under wraps
hearsay
Unverified secondhand information
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
scuttlebutt · buzz · innuendo · dirt · grapevine · backbiting · slander · chatter · talk · gossipmonger
fake news
Intentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- propagandaBiased information for influence
falsehood · fabrication · canard · lie · myth · untruth · distortion · misrepresentation · smear · defamation
circulate
Move in a loop
- propagateSpread or breed further
- disseminateSpread information widely
- leakEscape through a breach
whisper · broadcast · relay · share · float · pass along · spread like wildfire · viral · buzz · mill
allegation
Assertion lacking proof
- unconfirmedNot officially validated
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- unfoundedWithout factual support
baseless · groundless · unproven · uncorroborated · questionable · dubious · unofficial · speculation · supposed · purported
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
clandestine · covert · cloak-and-dagger · cabal · whispering campaign · palace intrigue · backroom · hush-hush · under wraps · insider
- celebrity gossippaparazzi, tabloid, gossip column, TMZ, scandal
- Communication channelsdiscussion, newsletter, debate, bulletin board, town hall
- gossipgossip, hearsay, whisper, scuttlebutt, tittle-tattle
- publicitypublicity, PR, press conference, publicist, press release
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- tabloidsNational Enquirer, TMZ, Daily Mail, People, Globe
rumorofficial report
Authorized documented account
announcement · press release · public record · formal declaration · communiqué
- rumor has itUnverified talk suggests
- rumor millInformal gossip network
- spreading rumorsCirculating unverified talk
- spread rumors
- rumour millGossip production source
- dating rumorsUnverified romantic pairing talk
rumors, rumored, rumour, rumoring, rumours, rumoured, ruminative, rumormonger, ruminator