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

This museum inside a Renaissance palazzo in the heart of Florence has been putting on one blockbuster exhibition after another. — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Since leaving the daytime game show, Osborne appeared as an Amazonian in the 2020 superhero blockbuster Wonder Woman 1984 and in All The Queen’s Men. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

But an actor who came up on huge blockbusters like Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean was unprepared for the speed at which the German auteur was prepared to move. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

McQueen proves himself a masterful stylist of the modern blockbuster with this energetic action-thriller. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 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