spread rumors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'spread rumors' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation in which information is being spread that is not based on facts and is usually done without verification. For example: "The local gossip-mongers had spread rumors about the new family on the block."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

White newspapers spread rumors of black soldiers assaulting white police.

The New Yorker

His critics have taken to Twitter to spread rumors that he is dying or is dead.

The New York Times

As credit markets began to freeze up and mistrust among banks spread, rumors circulated of defaults.

The New York Times

To borrow that old favorite of the right: computers don't spread rumors; people do.

The New Yorker

"Not only that, but they spread rumors that I have a pillow full of gold".

The New York Times

They spread rumors that Barlow had pilfered books from Lovecraft's library.

The New Yorker

Witnesses to the shootings said Mr. Miller had said the victims spread rumors about him.

The New York Times

Angry tenants waved petitions and legal papers and spread rumors of further impending rent rises.

The New Yorker

Some do, because certain people shorted stocks and talked them down and spread rumors and innuendo.

Forbes

During the height of chaos, Tripathi tweeted widely spread rumors about blackouts.

TechCrunch

He'll spread rumors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional or journalistic contexts, consider using more precise terms like "unverified reports" or "speculation" to maintain a neutral tone.

Common error

Avoid using "spread rumors" when referring exclusively to trivial social talk about people's private lives; in those cases, "gossip" is more accurate. Rumors typically involve unverified news about events, organizations or public figures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread rumors" functions as a transitive verb-object construction. The verb "spread" denotes the action of distribution or dissemination, while the plural noun "rumors" serves as the direct object. In the various examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase frequently appears in infinitive forms or as a simple predicate to describe the behavior of individuals, groups or media outlets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spread rumors" is a highly versatile and correct English expression used to describe the dissemination of unverified information. According to Ludwig AI, it appears across a wide spectrum of media, from prestigious journalistic outlets like The New Yorker and The New York Times to helpful guides on WikiHow. The phrase is almost always used with a neutral or slightly negative connotation, highlighting the unreliability of the information being shared. While it is common in everyday speech, professional writers may sometimes opt for more specific synonyms like "<a href="/s/propagate+misinformation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">propagate misinformation" to denote scale or intent. Overall, it remains the standard way to describe the act of circulating unconfirmed news or hearsay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circulate hearsay

Focuses specifically on the repetition of unverified information heard from others.

propagate misinformation

Implies a more systematic or large-scale dissemination of incorrect information.

peddle gossip

Suggests the information is trivial, personal or social in nature rather than consequential.

disseminate falsehoods

Carries a stronger connotation that the information being shared is definitively untrue.

fan the flames of speculation

Metaphorical phrase suggesting that one is intensifying existing unconfirmed theories.

whisper rumors

Emphasizes the secretive or quiet way the unverified information is shared.

broadcast canards

Uses a more formal or literary term for false and misleading reports.

leak unverified reports

Common in journalistic contexts where information is released before it can be fully confirmed.

air unfounded claims

Focuses on making public assertions that lack a factual basis or evidence.

spread lies

Directly identifies the content as intentionally deceptive rather than just unverified.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "spread rumors"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/circulate+hearsay" target="_blank" rel="alternative">circulate hearsay", "<a href="/s/peddle+gossip" target="_blank" rel="alternative">peddle gossip", or "<a href="/s/propagate+misinformation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">propagate misinformation" depending on the context.

How to use "spread rumors" in a sentence?

A typical example would be: "Social media platforms often make it easier for malicious actors to <a href="/s/spread+rumors" target="_blank" rel="alternative">spread rumors during an election cycle."

Is "spread rumors" formal enough for business writing?

It is generally acceptable in business, though phrases like "<a href="/s/circulate+unverified+information" target="_blank" rel="alternative">circulate unverified information" or "<a href="/s/engage+in+speculation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">engage in speculation" may sound more professional.

What is the difference between "spread rumors" and "spread lies"?

To "<a href="/s/spread+lies" target="_blank" rel="alternative">spread lies" implies that the information is known to be false by the speaker, whereas to "spread rumors" simply means the information is unverified and might potentially be true.