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

Apple’s Brad Pitt racing blockbuster landed four Oscar nods, including for best picture. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

That’s how tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Lilly’s blockbuster obesity and diabetes injections, works. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026

Books, films, indie and bestseller, b-movie and blockbuster. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Joseph Kosinski’s big, fun, breathless racing movie, which also got into best editing, sound, and visual effects—proof that no matter how international and high-brow the Academy gets, crowd-pleasing blockbusters never go out of fashion. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Jan. 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
• muster

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie