Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

burst

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of burst

1 a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity

  • a sudden burst of industriousness whenever the boss appeared
Synonyms of burst

flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, spurt
Words Related to burst

recrudescence, recurrence, renewal

binge, jag, spree

boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn

epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm

deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley

commotion, furor, uproar
Near Antonyms of burst

calm, doldrums, slump

2 a sudden intense expression of strong feeling

  • a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
Synonyms of burst

agony, blaze, ebullition, eruption, explosion, fit, flare, flare-up, flash, flush, gale, gush, gust, outburst, paroxysm, spasm, storm
Words Related to burst

blowup, grouch, rage, tantrum

ecstasy, rapture, transport

delirium, firestorm, frenzy, furor

3 the act or an instance of exploding

  • one burst after another could be heard in the distance
Synonyms of burst

blast, blowup, bursting, detonation, eruption, explosion, outburst
Words Related to burst

discharge, firing, shooting

blowout, flare-up

bang, boom, pop

airburst, groundburst
Antonyms of burst

implosion

burst

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of burst

1 to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure

  • the turnoverʼs crust burst when the filling expanded
Synonyms of burst

blow, blow up, crump, detonate, explode, go off, pop
Words Related to burst

fragment, shatter, smash, splinter

discharge, fire, shoot

balloon, burgeon (also bourgeon), mushroom
Near Antonyms of burst

collapse, fizzle
Antonyms of burst

implode

2 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 of burst

blast, blow, blow up, demolish, explode, pop, shatter, smash
Words Related to burst

dynamite

annihilate, decimate, destroy

ruin, wreck

detonate, discharge

fragment, splinter
Near Antonyms of burst

collapse, implode

3 to be copiously supplied

  • a young singer/dancer who seems to be bursting with energy and talent
Synonyms of burst

abound, brim, bristle, bulge, bustle, buzz, crawl, hum, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem
Near Antonyms of burst

lack, need, want

Learn More about burst

  1. See words that rhyme with burst Dictionary: Definition of burst Spanish Central: Translation of burst Nglish: Translation of burst for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of burst for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burst

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up burst? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games