gossip 1 of 2

Definition of gossipnext
1
as in gossiper
a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others because her friend was such a compulsive gossip, she couldn't help but wonder if her private life wasn't also being made the talk of the town

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2
3
as in rumor
information or opinion that is widely disseminated without any authority or confirmation of accuracy idle gossip can really damage a person's reputation even if it is later proven to be false

Synonyms & Similar Words

gossip

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gossip
Noun
Welcome to Open Tab, a weekly roundup of news, gossip, and stories that have stayed open in my tabs all week. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet? Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Looking at the issue from the perspective of Christian ethics, theology scholar Matthew Lee Anderson argues that there’s a case to be made that, in certain narrow circumstances, Christians are not only allowed but obligated to gossip. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2026 Lilian liked Anna, who was on the school board, knew what was going on, and gossiped matter-of-factly with neither pettiness nor zeal. Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gossip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gossip
Noun
  • Celebrity gossiper Rob Shuter reported that the two recently let go of a number of their staff.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Her staff figured out how to get rid of the gossiper.
    Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Insider Ian Rapoport will update those three with league chatter and trade buzz.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Their laughs and chatter fill the countryside and one another’s hearts, the merriment binding them all together like caterpillars in one big cocoon.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • At the Oscars, Conan O’Brien joked about the longstanding rumor that Netflix encourages their writers to write for a passive audience.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Social media is awash with rumors around Trader Joe’s mini striped canvas bags—though so far, they’ve only been leaked by an unknown source, posted by Instagram account @traderjoesobsessed.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But past royal visits to Washington have sometimes gone awry − from amorous muskrats to a talking hat.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Before talking to the group, McFadden asked them to take a few minutes to interact.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For our chat, Vargas connected from his mother’s place.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Few details about the chats have been made public so far.
    Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Using a Negroni and up to two glasses of Malbec, get through pre-appetizer chitchat, group ordering, salad, entrées, dessert, all the way to the Uber ride home, without oversharing or otherwise saying anything that will result in an emotional hangover the next morning.
    Charles Yu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Earle’s got a new reality show brewing with Netflix, so Cooper could make an appearance to chitchat.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gossip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gossip. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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