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
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 June 2026
Pearlescent pale seedlings burst through dry concrete.
—Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 18 June 2026
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 12 June 2026
Black then anchors the shoe through the heel, lining and midsole, while a white midsole features a small gradient burst of orange and pink.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
The tiny glow-boosting beads burst upon contact to support elasticity and collagen production, making this an especially good pick for mature skin craving more cushion and bounce.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 June 2026
Pearlescent pale seedlings burst through dry concrete.
—Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
The burst of activity marks a shift from Swift’s more deliberate public strategy over the past 18 months, following the record-shattering Eras Tour, which remains the only concert tour in history to gross $2 billion.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 12 June 2026
Black then anchors the shoe through the heel, lining and midsole, while a white midsole features a small gradient burst of orange and pink.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
-
Birding has exploded from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime, driven by the pandemic outdoor-recreation boom and amplified by apps and social media.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
At-home microbiome tests have exploded in popularity, fueled by genuine curiosity about gut health and big promises about energy, mood and longevity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Kate Ziegler breaks swimming’s oldest world record, shattering the 1,500-meter freestyle mark by 9 1/2 seconds at the TYR Meet of Champions Mission Viejo.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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When a shocking night shatters their fragile facade, both women are forced to confront the cost of control and decide what kind of future is worth fighting for.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Tiny bulging eyes form long before the animal resembles a shark at all and its future face exists only as clusters of migrating cells, slowly organizing themselves into the structures that will eventually become jaws, cartilage and sensory organs.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The 20-yard screamer deflected off keeper Luca Zidane’s fingertips and bulged the back of the net.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Even before the latest flurry of mixed signals, the industry had doubts.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
-
The Angels recalled infielder Christian Moore from Triple-A Salt Lake among a flurry of moves.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Moscow’s mayor said air defenses shot down nearly 200 drones, as videos circulating on social media showed explosions and smoke billowing across the Russian capital.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
The fire reached an ammonia line, triggering several small explosions and a dramatic image of flames shooting through the building roof as crews evacuated the area to avoid the fumes.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
But the eruption disrupted their economy and weakened their influence.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
The study examined a single eruption, and researchers do not yet know whether the same signatures appear consistently before other events.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The military retaliation followed an April 26 terror attack, when an explosive device detonated on a passenger bus traveling along the Pan-American Highway in the volatile Cauca region.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
-
Proper told investigators that a group planned to stage a demonstration outside the White House, fly small drones laden with explosives to detonate outside the arena to force the crowd to evacuate, and act as snipers to shoot people fleeing the event.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The suspect also allegedly attacked a car at a gas station, which was found with its windows smashed out and an axe inside, and he was seen pushing down shelves inside the station’s market, BBC News reported.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
The tension in these tracks are the binding agent for Jane’s fan base — the music is full of contradictions and incompatibilities smashing together that just feel like being young right now.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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