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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burst
Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
Then the doors burst open, and scores of Secret Service agents rushed into the room, many with hands on holsters.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Powered by 33 of SpaceX's Raptor-class engines, the booster provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, while the vehicle is where the crew and cargo would ride in orbit after the stages separate.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
But when the bands of light begin to balletically twirl, pulse, jump, fade, and then burst back like a tornado pushing through the Wizard’s green haze in Oz, sleep is all but forgotten.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
Then the doors burst open, and scores of Secret Service agents rushed into the room, many with hands on holsters.
—William Earl, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Allen, who played primarily out of the slot at Cincinnati, is known for his burst and ability to separate.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Powered by 33 of SpaceX's Raptor-class engines, the booster provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, while the vehicle is where the crew and cargo would ride in orbit after the stages separate.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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While the video game market stood at a whopping $219 billion in 2024, the competition in games has exploded over the past decade or so, with 19,000 games being released in 2023 for consoles and PC, compared to just under 2,000 in 2014, according to data from consulting firm Bain & Company.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
The second one, the one that exploded in Carter’s hands, was round with paper around it and about the size of a baseball.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Verb
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LaPorta set the rookie tight end record for receptions in 2023 with 86 (the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers shattered it a year later with 112).—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Reiner sat mostly expressionless in the courtroom—his eyes wide open and bulging.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
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This results in bulging eyes (proptosis) due to swelling or pressure behind your eyes.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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He should not be deluded by the Phillies’ quick flurry of wins after replacing Rob Thompson as manager with Don Mattingly.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
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QuickTake The fire, one of the most destructive in California history, has also led to a flurry of lawsuits against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Water, the biggest municipal utility in the US.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Quick hits • Orlando Science Center hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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Explosion of leftover bombs killed 14 in Iran An explosion of leftover bombs from strikes during the war against Iran killed 14 Revolutionary Guard members, IRNA and other Iranian media reported Friday.—
Toqa Ezzidin,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Alert 5 means an explosive and life-threatening eruption is underway with deadly volcanic lava and pyroclastic flows and heavy ashfall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
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Another key element of the look is the flamboyant headpiece that Deacon created in collaboration with the iconic milliner Stephen Jones, which featured an eruption of ostrich and pheasant feathers that had been artfully dyed to echo the shades of Christie’s dress.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Robots were used to recover and detonate some of the remaining explosive devices, police said.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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The posture changed dramatically in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb next to a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 167 people.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The Bears smashed 3 home runs in the game with Avery Welch getting things started with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first after a 1-out walk to Haylie Jimenez.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 May 2026
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Lopez, who smashed 15 homers last season, nearly had his fourth of the season on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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