rumored
Said without proof
Rumored describes something reported through unofficial channels but not confirmed: The company is rumored to be planning layoffs.
What's rumored may or may not be true—the word signals hearsay rather than established fact.
A rumored merger sent the stock price climbing.
Spoke without full voice
- hushedReduced to silence
- murmuredSpoke barely audibly
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
covert · furtive · discreet · private · conspiratorial · backchannel · off-the-record · sotto voce
Unverified secondhand information
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- buzzContinuous low drone
- grapevineInformal gossip network
- whispersSpeaks very quietly
chatter · tittle-tattle · innuendo · scuttlebutt · word-of-mouth · talk · gossipmonger · rumormonger
Not officially validated
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
- unprovenNot yet established
- unfoundedWithout factual support
uncorroborated · questionable · doubtful · uncertain · speculative · conjectural · tentative · inconclusive
whispered
Spoke without full voice
- hushedReduced to silence
- murmuredSpoke barely audibly
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
clandestine · covert · furtive · discreet · private · conspiratorial · backchannel · off-the-record · sotto voce · undertone
hearsay
Unverified secondhand information
whispers · chatter · tittle-tattle · innuendo · scuttlebutt · word-of-mouth · talk · gossipmonger · rumormonger · backbiting
unconfirmed
Not officially validated
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
- unprovenNot yet established
unfounded · uncorroborated · questionable · doubtful · uncertain · speculative · conjectural · tentative · inconclusive · undetermined
alleged
Claimed but unproven
claimed · reported · asserted · accused · implied · insinuated · contended · suggested · hinted · presumed
rumoredconfirmed
Established as accurate
verified · proven · established · authenticated · substantiated
- rumor has itUnverified talk suggests
- rumor millInformal gossip network
- spreading rumorsCirculating unverified talk
- spread rumors
- dating rumorsUnverified romantic pairing talk
- vicious rumors