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

Drake’s blockbuster has now spent nine weeks on the tally, eight of them in first place. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

That’s only a 30% drop from its first weekend, an incredibly modest slide for a blockbuster. — Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 27 July 2026

None of these qualify as blockbusters, but with the trade deadline next Monday, the first cracks in the dam have sprung leaks. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 27 July 2026

China has been hostile to plenty of Hollywood blockbusters in recent years. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 July 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