burst 1 of 2

verb

ˈbərst How to pronounce burst (audio)
Definition of burstnext
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

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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

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3
as in to bulge
to be copiously supplied a young singer/dancer who seems to be bursting with energy and talent

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burst

2 of 2

noun

1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity a sudden burst of industriousness whenever the boss appeared

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2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel

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3
as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding one burst after another could be heard in the distance

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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 burst
Verb
Drums burst over pirouetting synth chords, while Stel’s wispy harmonies evoke the feeling of coming up on ecstasy. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 Seven months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, explosions burst through two Nord Stream gas pipelines – Russia’s controversial gas highway into Europe – in the waters between Sweden and Poland. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
The delectable dip paired with the sugary chips was a heavenly combination, with a surprising burst of chocolate in every scoop. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Both batteries produce a burst of 20V at startup but run at 18V normally. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
  1. explode
  2. shatter
  3. bulge
  4. flurry
  5. explosion
  6. eruption
  7. detonate
  8. smash
Verb
  • Nearly 2,400 people were arrested in France on Saturday after long-simmering protests exploded into some of the country’s most disruptive unrest in years.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • When Louise would remember the show decades later, the audience was always so electric that the room exploded into stamping feet and pounding fists.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of explode
Verb
  • Overwhelmed police forces often failed to intervene as thousands of vandals, many wearing masks and caps that hid their faces, shattered storefront windows and walked off with merchandise.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • When Ida suddenly disappears, Sine’s world is shattered, yet her lost freedom, old friends, and acting career unexpectedly return.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Simmons has yet to make his season debut because of a bulging disk in his back, and Rice injured his hamstring during Kansas City’s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In the grayness that should have been sunrise that morning, dark clouds sagged baggily over the very treetops, bulging as if ready to split under their liquid weight.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bulge
Noun
  • The interview in The Bookman had inaugurated what turned into a flurry of correspondence with his old clerk in the spring of 1892.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a flurry of beauty M&A activity in 2025 — a record 384 deals globally, to be specific — average deal value is on the decline.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • In the 1960s America launched the Vela fleet of satellites, whose sole task was to look at Earth’s surface and search for any telltale neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays—extremely high-energy particles—coming from a nuclear explosion.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Most of these fragments were generated by explosions and orbital collisions that shattered satellites and used rocket stages into clouds of dangerous debris.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Such a cloud is typically linked to an eruption of heavy elements—those created during a neutron star collision and its resulting kilonova.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The night that inspired Gothic literature In 1815, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia released a massive cloud of ash and particulates, large enough to affect global weather.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of eruption
Verb
  • An operation in Kenscoff In the mists of the steep hills that ring southern Port-au-Prince, CNN saw one Task Force operation where helicopters manned by foreign contractors assaulted gang positions, and drones detonated amid the clatter of gunfire.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The police response has drawn criticism following an incident last week in which a 15-year-old boy lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade that detonated during a demonstration in Lens.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • In Tirana this week, protesters smashed windows, set alight ​government buildings and clashed with police.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Federal officials maintain the immigration officers believed their lives were in danger and opened fire only after Belgal smashed his car into two government vehicles and accelerated toward them.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of smash

Phrases Containing burst

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burrs
burst
burst (forth)
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Cite this Entry

“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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