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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 travelling
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
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
But Great Nicobar faces certain destruction as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plans to construct a container port, an airport, a township, a tourism project, and a power plant on the island—attempting to transform the island into a bustling commercial hub.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At first glance, the pieces include fragments such as those commonly found in Makola Market, one of Accra’s bustling trade centers.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
But Gorman also cautioned that even if the bold ideas put forth by Musk and Bezos are realized fully, with bustling metropolises constructed among the stars, humanity will eventually need to look back toward home.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
But Great Nicobar faces certain destruction as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plans to construct a container port, an airport, a township, a tourism project, and a power plant on the island—attempting to transform the island into a bustling commercial hub.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Suárez pulled a goal back in the 57th minute, bustling the ball home after good work from Baltasar Rodríguez, and then the Uruguayan leveled with a superb curling shot into the far corner in the 74th minute.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At first glance, the pieces include fragments such as those commonly found in Makola Market, one of Accra’s bustling trade centers.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
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As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports pointed out, Belichick was busy hitting the recruiting trail during North Carolina's bye week, suggesting the head coach is still looking for talent to help the Tar Heels beyond this season.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
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Loads more news from a busy MIA, including a YouTube exec breaking ranks on the usual radio silence over the platform’s ratings versus broadcast figures, is right here.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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At the time of his sentencing, Williams was a buzzing rapper, with his 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season, his only full-length project, peaking at Number Three on the Billboard 200.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Cardinals running back Emari Demercado seemed destined to stretch Arizona’s lead to three touchdowns after bursting through the Titans defense for what appeared to be a 72-yard touchdown run.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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However, as investors have continued to seek out opportunities in AI, concerns have been raised about the possibility of a bubble bursting somewhere down the line.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Now, from her base in Anchorage, Rice has been able to stay engaged and informed, even with little information coming through official channels.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
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Across the three groups, the Hello Sunshine Collective reaches a highly engaged audience of over 100 million.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The satin fabrics were dyed vibrant colors and used for pieces like biker vests, dresses and apron tops.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
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Shot with both lyrical intimacy and bursts of vibrant energy, the film portrays the quiet revolution of a boy refusing to surrender his identity.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The movie, which runs two hours and forty-one minutes, is stuffed with fast-moving, complicated action and intricate dialogue, and the editing intercuts quickly among its teeming array of places, events, and characters.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
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These technologies are revolutionizing humanity’s ability to catalog Earth’s species, which are estimated to number 8 million—though perhaps far, far more—by illuminating the teeming life that so often eludes human observation.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Daria watched their diligent ascent while Andrés studied the map on his phone.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Hunt After years of diligent saving, a longtime renter with a $300,000 budget weighed whether to take his parents’ advice and return to his childhood building in Elmhurst, or branch out.—
Dan Levin,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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