budding 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbə-diŋ How to pronounce budding (audio)
Definition of buddingnext
as in nascent
beginning to come into existence the budding romance between the coworkers was the talk of the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

budding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bud
as in blossoming

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of budding
Adjective
The service Being hired at the Four Seasons is almost a rite of passage for budding Jordanian hoteliers who see this prestigious assignment as a stepping stone to some of the world’s other leading hotels. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Below him, there’s some budding depth from Emmitt Finnie and some veteran help from Andrew Copp. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Free agent signee Ehlers has complemented resident offensive leaders Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and budding star Seth Jarvis well. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026 Since making her first public appearance with Phillips in early 2024, Sperling has proven herself a budding style icon. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for budding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for budding
  1. nascent
  2. blossoming
  3. initial
  4. burgeoning
  5. first
  6. flowering
  7. incipient
  8. blooming
Adjective
  • In a few moments, the nascent supernova will release as much energy as the sun will over its entire lifetime.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Emerging artists still see incredible value in these performances — and are hopeful that nascent online programming will offer a new alternative.
    — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of nascent
Verb
  • While Emma and Matthew’s blossoming love story is at the center of A Christmas Rescue, Niffy, the dog playing Shep, is no stranger to finding compassion in an unexpected place.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, its a concoction of 12 notes, created by master perfumer and fragrance expert Jérôme Epinette, capturing a range of blossoming flowers, jammy fruits, earthy woods, and more.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blossoming
Adjective
  • The captain did not enter a plea during an initial appearance in federal court on August 10.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • According to police, Rodriguez hired her son as a security guard with an initial salary of $42,000.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of initial
Verb
  • Having seen Misiorowski rise to the occasion on an August afternoon, Murphy expects his burgeoning ace will be ready should the teams face off again with greater stakes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s what to know about the USS Abraham Lincoln, the concerns that have been raised over conditions on board, and the burgeoning calls for its crew to return home.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of burgeoning
Adjective
  • The Valkyries took off in the second quarter after another slow start, ending the first half on an 11-0 run on the way to a 44-28 lead at the break.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram Charles Esten Charles Esten recalled his first time meeting Panettiere while auditioning for Nashville.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of first
Verb
  • But on Wednesday, Chris Bonelli, Waymo’s product communications manager, summoned one of the all-electric, custom robotaxis to the flowering neighborhood park not far from Cherry Creek to demonstrate the technology to the press.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The plants generally require little maintenance after flowering, although foliage should be allowed to mature naturally following bloom.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of flowering
Adjective
  • Yet people in Venezuela saw few indications of an incipient transition.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Nolan, who also wrote the screenplay, cuts between Ulysses’ trials and Telemachus’ travels through the Ionian isles to find out whether his father is still alive – a matter of some importance both to his incipient manhood and to Penelope back home.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
Definition of incipient
Verb
  • The fashion designer embraced a swimwear-as-outerwear moment in a see-through maxidress that was blooming with florals.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Choose blooming fuchsia for instant color that lasts through October or longer.
    — Aliyah Rodriguez, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of blooming

Browse Nearby Words

buddies
budding
buddy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Budding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/budding. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on budding

Nglish: Translation of budding for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about budding

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All