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
Relevance
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
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
Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Stolz is a generational athlete in a sport that hasn’t had an American star since Apolo Ohno burst onto the scene and took gold in short track in 2002.
—Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Authorities on Friday rescued a group of workers — including one who was briefly unaccounted for — after a pipe burst at the New Colgate Powerhouse, the Yuba Water Agency’s main hydroelectric facility south of Dobbins.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Stolz is a generational athlete in a sport that hasn’t had an American star since Apolo Ohno burst onto the scene and took gold in short track in 2002.
—Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
While his remarks were met with silence, Rubio’s speech drew bursts of applause and laughter.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
Authorities on Friday rescued a group of workers — including one who was briefly unaccounted for — after a pipe burst at the New Colgate Powerhouse, the Yuba Water Agency’s main hydroelectric facility south of Dobbins.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
-
Since then, the fizzy dance challenge has exploded on TikTok, with tons of fans re-creating the clip’s silly dance moves in their kitchens, parking garages, living rooms, Times Square and hospital corridors.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Red fireworks are then seen exploding over the bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jamerson’s dreams of a solid return to a school that snubbed him were shattered.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The kids froze mid-mouthful, eyes bulging in horror at the thought of having to witness such a thing in the company of their parents.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The surrounding metropolitan area has similarly bulged.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The flurry continued with a second goal by Kelzenberg in the game’s final five seconds before the rally came up just short.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pellegrino’s putback on Saturday marked a crescendo to a late first-half flurry of action.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On even longer timescales, the remnant black holes that were created, whether from stellar explosions, neutron star mergers, a collapsing gas cloud, or having grown into supermassive behemoths, will all evaporate.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
With the population of millionaires and billionaires aging, and an explosion in companies and products promising miracle cures, the wealthy are driving much of the spending.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Braedon Tobin lit the lamp four times in an offensive eruption, powering Sandwich in a 7-3 win over Dennis-Yarmouth in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
That includes a 26-point eruption in which Alvarado made eight 3-pointers in Philadelphia.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stephen takes the microphone and detonates nearly every secret in the room.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Built with a high-strength steel casing, it is engineered to withstand impacts from dense materials before detonating.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Intriguingly, the lunar surface is littered with craters that record the chaotic early days of the solar system when planets and asteroids were smashing into one another.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The streamer has smashed streaming records for the Winter Olympics and contributed several million viewers to the Super Bowl audience.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
