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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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
Who could forget Morgan Riddle bursting on the scene in the summer of 2022? — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 Enjoy walking through the gardens bursting with flowers designed to attract butterflies. — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 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
  • Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor for security and law enforcement of Khuzestan Province, where Ahvaz is located, reported that a strike caused damage to nearby homes and shattered the windows of some housing units, according to IRIB.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Reed struck an officer twice in the forearm with the broomstick, which shattered upon impact with the officer’s arm.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • My husband Grant Wahl's bulged and burst, at an age when this disease usually means something inherited.
    — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • With a mouth that can stretch out as wide as rubber and eyes that seem perpetually on the verge of bulging out of their sockets, Campbell is the closest live-action screen actor equivalent cinema has ever had to Bugs Bunny.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Definition of bulge
Noun
  • The agency’s swift judgement on the incidents prompted calls for impartial investigations from local officials and a flurry of protests.
    — Annette Choi, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In the meantime, Silver anticipates that a flurry of one-and-done provisional arrangements will be hammered out before the new campaign tips off in October.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Several explosions were heard in Bampur last night around midnight local time, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Authorities announced a blanket inspection following the May explosion, China's deadliest mining accident in years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Francesco was known to be an alchemist who experimented with chemical substances, which could explain the skin eruptions, Giuffra added.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Because of its location, Goma has been affected by eruptions of Nyiragongo.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 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 22 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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