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
ABC News, 3 June 2026
The Walt Disney Concert Hall shop has become a Dudamel-torium, aisles bursting with Gustavo T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, refrigerator magnets and this and that.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
The turning point wasn't a sudden burst of courage.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
Steve Hilton has painted California as a state bursting with potential that has lost its way under Democratic leadership in his bid to be the state's first Republican governor in more than 15 years.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
The Walt Disney Concert Hall shop has become a Dudamel-torium, aisles bursting with Gustavo T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, refrigerator magnets and this and that.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Noun
Rapid bursts of gunfire sent festivalgoers screaming and running for cover between golf carts and food trucks in the city’s historic district, video reviewed by CNN shows.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
The turning point wasn't a sudden burst of courage.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
-
The Dodgers and Ohtani, who gave up a season-high four runs in 6⅔ innings, let a 6-1 lead melt in the humidity at PNC Park then watched the Pirates explode for five runs in the eighth inning.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
In May, at the manufacturing facility, which stores thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals in pressurized tanks used to produce materials such as plexiglass for fighter jet and commercial aircraft windows, one tank threatened to leak or explode.—
Nilesh Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The strikes, which Afghanistan's Taliban rulers said hit the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika, shattered more than a month of calm in the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
One woman was accused of throwing a chair through a glass door and shattering it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
And, soon, the OCFA crew learns that one of three storage tanks at the plant — one that contains the chemical methyl methacrylate, or MMA — is bulging.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
-
The top of my head had been level with the bulging briefcase the girl had tucked under her arm.—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Nine people were injured in a flurry of gunfire in a crowd on Troost Avenue early Saturday morning, Kansas City police said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
The Knicks erased a fourteen-point Spurs lead in the third quarter and then surged ahead in the fourth, led once again by the New Yorker cover star Jalen Brunson, who added to his legend with a flurry of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The larger and more immediate risk came from the possible explosion.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The chemical behind the explosion — ammonium nitrate — is not regulated under RMP.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Milwaukee's eruption in the sixth turned a 3-1 deficit into a comfortable cushion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
While the prominence resembles a fiery eruption, Johnston notes that looks can be deceiving.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
There were two car bombs on Tuesday in Moscow — one that detonated in the morning in eastern Moscow and one that was identified by security services in southwestern Moscow.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
-
Israel remotely detonated the devices in September 2024, killing at least 37 people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The men would brandish firearms and smash car windows before demanding that the victim hand over the money.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
Every day, there are news reports of hundreds of people rioting in cities across our country — windows being smashed, merchandise stolen, police vehicles damaged and people being attacked and injured.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
