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 actor spoke to us during a day off from portraying drummer Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ four-part Beatles film blockbuster. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026

Take, for instance, Trilith Studios, which hosts blockbuster shoots, is also thinking small. —Carole Horst, Variety, 13 May 2026

Her rise to stardom accelerated with films like Lost in Translation, Marriage Story, and a string of Marvel blockbusters culminating in the 2021 standalone film Black Widow. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 13 May 2026

And thus the fortnight of fashion and film kicked off, even as the streets of Cannes felt quieter than in past years, with fewer American blockbusters on tap. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 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