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

Swift’s blockbuster Eras Tour ran from March 2023 through December 2024, spanning 149 shows across five continents. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2025

Without a major blockbuster in October to boost grosses, overall domestic ticket sales are just 4% ahead of 2024, according to Comscore. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025

The filmmaker is also well known for making the MCU’s 2021 blockbuster Eternals, a departure from the realism of her previous films. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025

Will the Panthers make their own blockbuster deal after Aleksander Barkov’s injury? —Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Oct. 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