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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In the early morning hours of July 11, a group of men was playing dice in the back of a liquor store in Shively when two people burst through the store’s rear entrance and opened fire. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 2026 Transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake until the tomatoes begin to burst and the gnocchi start to sizzle, about 15 minutes. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Noun
The burst in interest was most notable with CD sales, which are up 16 percent this year; K-pop albums accounted for nearly 10 percent of that figure. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026 Balinese, from the smaller Hindu isle, is often rawer, and features bright, exciting bursts or metallic clashes. — Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 July 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
  • Images of 20-year-old Lionel Messi and infant Lamine Yamal from 2007 have exploded in popularity in the run-up to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina plays Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.
    — Alanis Thames, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • The global market for testosterone therapy has exploded from global sales of only $18 million annually in the late 1980s to nearly $2 billion in 2025.
    — Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 2026
Definition of explode
Verb
  • Six years ago, the signing of the Abraham Accords was dismissed by skeptics as a fragile, fair-weather agreement, bound to shatter at the first sign of Middle Eastern turbulence.
    — Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
  • For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe Turbay shattered the belief that the country had largely left behind the era when presidential candidates routinely became targets of political violence.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Look for roots emerging from the drainage holes or a container that’s bulging or misshapen, says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, houseplant expert and author of The Houseplant Guru.
    — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026
  • Their bulging eyes stare back at the Queen’s Consort, empty in pallid faces.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of bulge
Noun
  • On July 20, 2026 The opening match of WWE Raw started out hot with a flurry of offense from Je’Von Evans and Dragon Lee.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The singer divides her time between managing the sandwich shop and flying to perform at a flurry of concerts around the country.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Deep ocean recordings blend with orchestral timpani, distant explosions, vibrations and the recorded buzzing of bees.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Geologist and science communicator Chris Jackson, for instance, is on hand to clear up any misconceptions the general public might have about the eruption and its aftermath.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
  • However, this potential sky show isn’t a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME), the intense solar eruptions responsible for some of the most widespread aurora events in recent years.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of eruption
Verb
  • The video shows these drones flying into the Russian positions and detonating their payloads during the assault.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Last week, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near Damascus' main judicial complex, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • This actor, Yannis Kokiasmenos, came in for half a day and is holding his own, smashing this scene.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Many have labeled the match dull, with neither team scoring until Spain’s Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 106th minute to defeat reigning champs Argentina.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 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 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burst

Nglish: Translation of burst for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burst

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