Reading Theme:
Spread Rumors: Meaning, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：Spread Rumors (Spread Rumors)
Spread Rumors
/spred ˈruːmərz/
v. phr.
To share information about someone or something that is not true, usually to harm their reputation or cause trouble.
Spread Rumors
➕
/spred ˈruːmərz/
v. phr.
To disseminate false or unverified information about someone or something, often with intent to damage reputation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
'Spread' (Old English 'spreadan') + 'rumor' (Latin 'rumor' = noise).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine buttering a story onto ears: 'spread' like butter, 'rumor' like a story.
📖 Example
Someone jealous of her success started to spread rumors that she had cheated on the exam.
Someone jealous of her success started to spread rumors that she had cheated on the exam.
🔗 Collocations
spread rumors about – to spread rumors about someone
maliciously spread rumors – to spread rumors with harmful intent
🔄 Synonyms
gossip (v.) – To talk about others' private affairs, often with speculation.
circulate false information (v. phr.) – To spread untrue stories or claims.
🚫 Antonyms
dispel rumors (v. phr.) – To stop the spread of rumors by proving them false.
🌱 Derivatives
rumormonger (n.) – A person who spreads rumors.
📖 Cultural Story
Rumor from Latin 'rumor' (common talk). Roman goddess Fama spread news. 'Spread rumors' reflects this social behavior.
Meaning 2：Rumor Spreading (Spread Rumors)
Spread Rumors
/spred ˈruːmərz/
v. phr.
The phenomenon where a rumor or unconfirmed message quickly passes among a group of people.
Rumor Spreading
➕
/ˈruːmər ˌspredɪŋ/
v. phr.
The process by which unconfirmed information rapidly circulates among people, often gaining exaggeration.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the office, rumors spread quickly about the new boss's management style, even though no one had met him yet.
In the office, rumors spread quickly about the new boss's management style, even though no one had met him yet.
🔗 Collocations
fast rumor spreading – The rapid propagation of rumors
stop rumor spreading – To prevent the further circulation of false information
🔄 Synonyms
gossip chain (n.) – A sequence of people passing along gossip or rumors.
hearsay transmission (n.) – The spreading of secondhand information.
🚫 Antonyms
fact-checking (n.) – The practice of verifying information to counter rumors.
🌱 Derivatives
spreadable (adj.) – Capable of being spread, often used of ideas or rumors.
Wordbook
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