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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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

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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
Bake for 25 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the gnocchi have a slight crisp. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Besides the brand’s proprietary Ceramide Skin Complex, which features encapsulated ceramides (that immediately burst and melt into your skin upon contact), glycerin and shea butter also help attract and lock in moisture. — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
The soundtrack is filled with layered mixing punctuated by the occasional burst of operatic or choral music (the score is credited to ten people, including Reygadas). — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026 So for him, that would be a quick burst and some lateral side-to-side stuff. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 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
  • As a child of parents who bred him to be the next Green Lantern, John knows full well the conflict between conscience and instinct, a ceaseless war that threatens to explode to the surface.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Video circulating on social media showed a drone striking the bridge and exploding as vehicles crossed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of explode
Verb
  • This trust, known as the presumption of regularity, has been shattered, and a growing number of judges have expressed frustration and alarm.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Crows pecked at both the living and the dead crabs, and cars shattered the shells into tiny fragments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Check for dented seams and bulging lids, which can point to food safety issues, recommends Morawetz.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Her bulging eyes, her piercing shrieks, her casual yet immaculately articulate cruelty all come together to form a cartoonish villain who’s also a commanding delight.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of bulge
Noun
  • OpenAI is holding its annual DevDay developer conference on Tuesday, where the artificial intelligence company is expected to showcase a flurry of new products and features.
    — Ashley Capoot,Kate Rooney,Chris Eudaily, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Cliffs teeter at 1,640 feet, before tumbling down in a flurry of vineyards and walking trails to the rushing rivers and gorges of Sil and Miño.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • There’s been an explosion that has caused a giant ice shelf dubbed Judy, one roughly the size of Boston, to detach.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Blowing up a nuclear bomb in space would first destroy or disable any nearby satellites, and then the damage would spread as electronics-frying energetic particles from the explosion contaminated huge swaths of orbit.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • The vehicle splashed down intact in the northern Pacific Ocean three hours and eight minutes after liftoff, causing another eruption of cheers from the folks gathered at Starbase.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Surveillance video from the park shows an eruption of gunfire that lasted about 30 seconds as people fled the area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of eruption
Verb
  • Akhtar the author, though, is conducting a stealthy psyop aimed at detonating the certainties of combatants on both sides.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • She is widely remembered as the first Palestinian woman to carry out a suicide bombing, although accounts indicate that the device may have detonated unexpectedly.
    — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • But of the leaders of those three mega-bands, perhaps the most mysterious remains Pete Townshend, The Who’s songwriter and enigmatic eminence, thrashing chords and smashing guitars while Roger Daltrey handled lead vocals.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Breakfast and lunch staples including omelets, pancakes, French toast, smashed pot potatoes, hamburger steak, beef tips, pork chops and chicken and dumplings are returning to the menu, along with a few new items.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burst

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burst

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