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   whis·per

   /ˈ(h)wispər/

   verb

   • 1. speak very softly using one's breath without one's vocal cords, especially for the sake of privacy: "Alison was whispering in his ear" Similar murmurmuttermumblespeak/say softlyspeak/say in muted tonesspeak/say in hushed tonesspeak/say sotto vocebreathepurrsay under one's breathOpposite shout
   • ▪ be rumored: "it was whispered that he would soon die"
   • ▪ (of leaves, wind, or water) rustle or murmur softly.

   noun

   • 1. a soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase: "she spoke in a whisper" Similar murmurmuttermumblelow voicehushed toneundertoneOpposite shout
   • ▪ a rumor or piece of gossip: "whispers of a blossoming romance" Similar rumorstoryreportspeculationinsinuationsuggestionhintgossiphearsaywordscandaltittle-tattleidle talkon ditbavardageKaffeeklatschlabrishshu-shuinformal:buzzgossscuttlebuttteafurphyskinderrare:bruit
   • ▪ a soft rustling or murmuring sound: "the thunder of the surf became a muted whisper" Similar rustlemurmursighmoansoughwhooshwhirswishrare:susurrationbabbleburblepurllapliterary:plashOpposite howlroarroarthunder
   • ▪ a slight trace; a hint: "he didn't show even a whisper of interest" Similar tracescraptouchtingehintsuggestionsuspicionsoupçonwhiffinklingscintillawhitsparkglimmerflickeratomspeckbitouncedropdashjotiotashredcrumbmorselfragmentvestigegrainspotmitemodicuminformal:smidgensmidgetadstimarchaic:scantlingscruple

   Word Origin Old Englishhwisprian, of Germanic origin; related to German wispeln, from the imitative base of whistle.

   Derivatives

   • 1. whispery adjective

   Scrabble Points: 15

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   • R

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