bustling

adjective

bus·​tling ˈbəs-liŋ How to pronounce bustling (audio)
ˈbə-sə-
: full of lively activity : busily astir
a bustling market
bustling streets
Commercial ships and recreational boats were serviced by a bustling marine industry.AAG Abstracts
bustlingly adverb
a bustlingly busy area

Examples of bustling in a Sentence

a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This bustling beach town sits on a barrier island, offering wide, sandy beaches that are free to access and perfect for families. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025 What was once the bustling hub for Biltmore Industries' weaving and woodworking is now a captivating arts and crafts village, providing an insightful look into Asheville's rich history. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 June 2025 The best things to see, do, and eat in Copenhagen Begin your exploration at Nyhavn, the iconic 17th-century canal lined with colorful townhouses and bustling cafés. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 26 June 2025 Some stellar clusters pack thousands of stars into a small volume of space, and the bustling galactic center swarms with stars. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bustling

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bustling was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bustling. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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