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

• 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 Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat came together on a blockbuster trade before the NBA trade deadline last year. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

With audiences taking it mostly easy in anticipation for the rest of the year’s upcoming final blockbuster offerings, this feels like a chance to light a little fire under the last of the gas and get folks back into theaters one last time. —Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

This time, however, Guerrero is the one putting his mark on the blockbuster work, set to an irreverent set of poems by medieval clergy. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

To mark the occasion, the singer left fans with a farewell message, officially ending her blockbuster run. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025

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
• muster

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie