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

Will these blockbuster-hopefuls manage to power the domestic box office past the $9 billion benchmark? —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 14 Dec. 2025

Taylor Swift delivered the kind of speech on the final night of the Eras Tour that usually comes right before the climax of a football game in a cinematic blockbuster. —Bryan West, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

Goff has played against his former team three times since that blockbuster trade, which resulted in Stafford leading the Rams to Super Bowl victory. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Golden State has held off on making any major moves involving players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, who offer youth and salary filler to any potential blockbuster trade. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 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