blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbə-stər 

often attributive

1

: a very large high-explosive bomb

2

: one that is notably expensive, effective, successful, large, or extravagant

3

: one who engages in blockbusting

Synonyms

• success
• hit

Examples of blockbuster in a Sentence

a 900-page blockbuster of a novel

the movie is expected to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Stream your favorite shows, the biggest blockbusters and more. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

The show’s blockbuster 27th season has been airing every other week, as opposed to weekly, to ostensibly give the pair and their staff more time to craft episodes in response to current events. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025

The Giants then made a blockbuster in-season trade to acquire Rafael Devers. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

The latter two titles were box office blockbusters, with the former surpassing $1 billion worldwide. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blockbuster

• adjuster
• baluster
• combustor
• lackluster
• bluster
• buster
• cluster
• duster
• juster
• luster
• lustre
• muster

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie