Collocations for rumour - noun

malicious, nasty, scurrilous, ugly, vicious
baseless, false, unconfirmed, unfounded, unsubstantiated, wild
persistent, strong, widespread
trade
Internet

start
fuel
His lengthy absence will fuel rumours that he has been fired.

spread
hear
believe
deny
confirm
The actor confirmed rumours that he will be leaving the series.

quash, scotch (esp. BrE), silence
The Chief Executive issued a statement to quash rumours of financial problems.

circulate, get around, go around, go round (esp. BrE), spread
abound, be flying, be flying about (esp. BrE), be flying around, be rife
Rumours about an impending divorce were rife.

sweep sth (esp. BrE), sweep through sth (esp. AmE)
The rumour quickly swept the town.

persist

factory (BrE), mill
The Washington rumour mill suggests the money changed hands illegally.

amid rumours
The manager resigned suddenly amidst rumours of misconduct.

rumour about, rumour concerning, rumour surrounding
rumours surrounding the closure of the hospital

rumour of
There were persistent rumours of drug-taking among staff.

rumour has it that …
Among the other employees, rumour has it that he was fired from his last job.

there is no truth in the rumour
There is no truth in the rumour that she is about to resign.