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

The Brad Pitt blockbuster became Apple's highest-grossing film. — Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

John Leguizamo, who earned praise for his performance in Universal’s summer blockbuster The Odyssey, is returning to the studio for its big-screen take on Miami Vice. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Drawn Together placed first, above blockbusters such as Project Hail Mary in fourth and Masters of the Universe in fifth, in the latest Prime Video film ranking, for the week of September 7-13. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 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