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 of blockbuster

• 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

That bestseller is now up to 698 weeks somewhere on the tally and, in less than a month, the blockbuster will almost certainly become the latest title to be inducted into the 700-week club. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Arsenal were exploring a move in what would have been one of the biggest blockbuster signings the Premier League has seen. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

And because El Niño typically peaks in late fall to early winter, this event is likely to be a blockbuster. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

Now, the moviegoing public can stumble on perfect replicas of theatrical blockbusters on numerous social apps and screen them in full before copyright teams can hit the panic button. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

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
• maister

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie