1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
finally burst the piñata open with one mighty swing of the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a sudden burst of industriousness whenever the boss appeared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burst
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Lawler burst onto the political scene by toppling ex-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in the 2022 midterms in a race that featured a round of internal Democratic bickering following a redistricting battle that changed the district somewhat.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
Paolo Confino, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Filled with burst, juicy tomatoes, slivers of red onion, and lots of garlicky juices, this colorful chicken dish is rustically elegant enough for company, yet easy enough to pull off on any weeknight.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
Streaming services led by Netflix burst onto the media landscape in the 2010s promising, among other innovations, commercial-free TV and movies.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Lawler burst onto the political scene by toppling ex-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in the 2022 midterms in a race that featured a round of internal Democratic bickering following a redistricting battle that changed the district somewhat.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
Noun
Traders seemed to ignore this latest round of tariff news—a stark contrast to their reaction in April when President Donald Trump’s initial burst of tariff policies caused a broad market selloff that hit equities, the U.S. dollar, and the bond market.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Filled with burst, juicy tomatoes, slivers of red onion, and lots of garlicky juices, this colorful chicken dish is rustically elegant enough for company, yet easy enough to pull off on any weeknight.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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This lack of exchange didn't go unnoticed, and social media exploded with rumors that the former costars are still not on friendly terms.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 July 2025
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The pair were caught on the jumbotron in an intimate embrace during the band’s show in Boston on Wednesday night, which exploded into an inadvertent, viral hard-launch of their apparent affair by Thursday morning.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Kurt's key takeaways The Elmo hack shattered more than just a cheerful digital persona.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
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That seeming consensus, under sustained attack, was shattered this week.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Both can affect your quality of life: Atherosclerosis can cause heart attacks, strokes, poor blood flow to the legs, or bulging arteries.—
Alexandria Nyembwe,
Health,
20 July 2025
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Blount, who appeared wearing a white button-down shirt and tie, his hands shackled in front of him, his bulging gut and beige tie spilling over his beige pants, appeared impassive and refused to meet his victim’s gaze as Rothschild addressed him personally.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
Noun
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That area has seen a flurry of property sales since Mayor Joe Hogsett announced his intentions to build a professional league stadium at what is now the downtown Indianapolis heliport, but some of the Simon property purchases predate the mayor's public announcement.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
25 July 2025
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This move could be the first of a flurry after Arizona was swept by Houston earlier this week.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has identified the three deputies killed in Friday’s training facility explosion at an East Los Angeles County training site.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
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The road closures and evacuation orders around the Esparto fireworks explosion site were lifted on Friday, allowing a closer look at the site where seven people were killed in the July 1 blast.—
Nathaniel Levine,
Sacbee.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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There have been three major eruptions at Yellowstone, according to NPS.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
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The devastation following the volcano’s famous eruption in 79 CE is well-documented across multiple archeological sites at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and elsewhere.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
16 July 2025
Verb
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At the same time, a squad attempts to raid the lab, leading to a massive shoot-out culminating with the drug dealers detonating an explosive, destroying the lab.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
17 July 2025
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In 1945: The Manhattan Project successfully detonated the world’s first atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson, Anthony drew a walk and Alex Bregman smashed a three-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 3-2.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
29 July 2025
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Chloe Kelly stood up once again for the winning moment, smashing her kick past the Spanish goalkeeper and securing England’s second European crown.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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