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

Iron Lung Markiplier, 125 minutes There are blockbusters that made more money, but the success of this film is one of the most interesting film stories of 2026 because it was done entirely outside the studio system. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026

Conspicuously absent, however, was any kind of major blockbuster premiere. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 May 2026

Unsurprisingly, Musk, who is expected to become the world’s first trillionaire after the blockbuster IPO, maintains his iron grip of control over the company with 85% of voting power. —Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

That happened in 2021 during the closed-doors period but came without the theatrics that had made these games emotional blockbusters. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 May 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