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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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
Then from lineout ball, prop Boris Wenger stood in a gang tackle and offloaded for flanker Benjamín Grondona to burst clear to the tryline. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 Founded in London in 1993, White Cube burst onto the US scene in 2023 with its New York flagship at 1002 Madison Avenue (a stone’s throw from the headquarters of heavy hitters such as Gagosian and Acquavella). — News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
Add a burst of brightness to a quieter color scheme by way of vibrant shoes like the chartreuse wedges above. — Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 The bulbous growths on the ends of the mycelia burst, releasing even more spores into the air to infect even more unsuspecting ants. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 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
  • This could give astronomers an early warning, allowing telescopes to turn toward the exploding star while its light is still arriving.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has denied targeting Bulgaria after a drone entered the country's airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of explode
Verb
  • Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace protected the three deputies from Bowers but was shot in his left front leg, shattering the bone and tearing an artery that caused massive blood loss.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The state of the job market has shattered the confidence of American workers.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • As the compressed sides bulge outward under load, the tower’s structural strength drops sharply, frequently triggering sudden buckling or catastrophic collapse.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • Okegbe recommends immediately discarding any can that’s bulging, leaking, heavily rusted, or dented.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026
Definition of bulge
Noun
  • But Davis’s book is part of a flurry of statements and interviews that, investigators say, taken together amount to an admission he was involved in the murder.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Those conferences signed on and saved it from near death late last month after a flurry of negotiations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • If Yellowstone erupts again, the most probable outcome is not a continent-spanning explosion.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike other successful launches, the incident appears to have been downplayed on China’s state media with scant mention of the explosion.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • The department's decision was met with an eruption of applause.
    — Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists would also expect an impending volcanic eruption to produce warning signs.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of eruption
Verb
  • Anvil is a smaller, faster aircraft designed to destroy hostile drones by colliding with them or detonating nearby.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • According to a report in German newspaper Bild, investigators believe only a technical malfunction may have prevented the device attached to the drone from detonating.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone hit his 21st homer of the season to right, smashing a hanging slider for a 410-foot shot that induced grumbles from the stands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 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 15 Aug. 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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