1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity
a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bustling
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The resident said most stores in the normally bustling area of Tajrish were closed, though bakeries and supermarkets remained open.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Because early photography required long exposure times—in this case, the camera was trained on the street for about seven minutes— the bustling cityscape appears, at first glance, to be devoid of people.
—Alexey Yurenev, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
For baby boomers who love the idea of Florida but want the classic coastal experience, there’s Tampa, a bustling city with access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The resident said most stores in the normally bustling area of Tajrish were closed, though bakeries and supermarkets remained open.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
As the Indian Land panhandle continues to fill in, transitioning once rural farmland into a bustling community, more new homes than ever are being approved in the middle and southern parts of the county.
—John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Because early photography required long exposure times—in this case, the camera was trained on the street for about seven minutes— the bustling cityscape appears, at first glance, to be devoid of people.
—Alexey Yurenev, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
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Morales commented on the incident happening during a busy weekend in the city, which includes Ultra, a concert at the Kaseya Center, and the Marlins' opening weekend.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Let that passion carry you through the busier stretches.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Opt for the spring or fall to enjoy the best of the city's buzzing outdoor markets and piazzas.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
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Tamarindo, a great stretch of beach for surfing, is equally famous for its nightlife, with buzzing spots like Chiquita's Tamarindo.—
Natalie Hammond,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As spring blooming bulbs, tulips are often associated with renewal, bursting forth after the last winter freeze.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
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At a slim 76 minutes, Sparks pulls you in tight and never lets go, every frame bursting with teen angst and longing.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Progress begins when families speak up and stay engaged.—
Shon Lowe,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
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But those who have worked with him or presented cases in his court say that outward appearance masks a sharp, deeply engaged jurist with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mix of calm bordeaux and vibrant green makes for interesting styling indeed.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
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The streets of downtown Fort Worth will be transformed into a vibrant, open-air gallery as the 39th Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival returns with bold artwork, live entertainment and plenty of food and fun to fill the streets.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mason evokes the vibrant street scene vividly, with archive footage of the area’s teeming bars and even a nod to the Donut Time store immortalized in Sean Baker’s transgender High Noon story Tangerine.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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The mesmerizing power of the booming sound in a southern Moroccan desert prompts the teeming bodies to writhe and dance in an ecstatic state.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Learning a language, studying abroad, or simply traveling to experience something entirely unfamiliar to you.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Woods' vehicle had been traveling between 84 and 87 mph in an area with a 45 mph speed limit, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at the time.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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