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

In Cusk’s first novel after the blockbuster Outline trilogy, a woman invites an artist to stay at her home on a marsh, and things unravel from there. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Zhang Xiaofei, the star of Chinese blockbuster Hi, Mom, plays the captain of the Emei Women’s Football Team, which enters the Supreme Invincible Cup determined to prove its doubters wrong. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

The trade-deadline blockbusters and late-night deals all seemed at the time like the Sixers were swinging for the fences. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Like most of the country’s entries over the past decade, this blockbuster epic — a summer box office hit at home — makes for an extravagant display of the strength of the nation’s commercial film industry. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 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