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
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Against the backdrop of national debates over school choice and vouchers, homeschooling has burst from the ideological fringe to the center of Chicago’s education landscape.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Authorities on Friday rescued a group of workers — including one who was briefly unaccounted for — after a pipe burst at the New Colgate Powerhouse, the Yuba Water Agency’s main hydroelectric facility south of Dobbins.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
Aaron’s father Hai Nam Vu testified during Ragan’s recent trial, recounting how an ordinary Friday at the nail salon turned into an afternoon of terror when two gunmen burst in and demanded money and jewelry from the salon’s customers and employees.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Against the backdrop of national debates over school choice and vouchers, homeschooling has burst from the ideological fringe to the center of Chicago’s education landscape.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
While his remarks were met with silence, Rubio’s speech drew bursts of applause and laughter.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Authorities on Friday rescued a group of workers — including one who was briefly unaccounted for — after a pipe burst at the New Colgate Powerhouse, the Yuba Water Agency’s main hydroelectric facility south of Dobbins.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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The benign case is that China is doing small-scale testing to ensure its weapons won't explode accidentally.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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Butler started WeSchool more recently, when interest in at-home learning exploded during the pandemic.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.—
John Wrory Ficklin,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there are no predictions of record-shattering win totals this time – even as the Dodgers head into the season as favorites to three-peat.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The kids froze mid-mouthful, eyes bulging in horror at the thought of having to witness such a thing in the company of their parents.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Her voice is intimate and resonant, whether cut up into indistinct background flurries or pushed to the front of the mix.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
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The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a news conference Friday, a spokesperson for the Pest County Police Headquarters said an explosion in one of the rooms likely caused the fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Some parents told the Tribune that pandemic-era growth seems to have set off a snowball effect, fueled by an explosion of online and at-home learning resources.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Braedon Tobin lit the lamp four times in an offensive eruption, powering Sandwich in a 7-3 win over Dennis-Yarmouth in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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That includes a 26-point eruption in which Alvarado made eight 3-pointers in Philadelphia.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An explosive test can mean many different things While the major nuclear powers have not detonated a nuclear bomb in decades, that doesn't mean work on nuclear weapons stopped.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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No matter what, Bella Hadid will always smash a theme.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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