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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 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
Solar flares release bursts of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet light.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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Walks have exploded under new ABS system With the introduction of challenges, MLB had to essentially redefine the strike zone to ensure that the tracking system would consistently and accurately measure what actually is a strike or ball.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Freedom from nonstop sound effects Some ballparks are worse than others, but the trend of teams that pump up the volume and inject sound effects between pitches, similar to an NBA game, is exploding.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By 2025, the War on Terror had shattered entire nations and economies, displaced some 40 million citizens and directly and indirectly killed over four million.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 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
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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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The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That bridge has been burned, detonated, destroyed, nuked, lasered to death.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.—
Philipp Jenne,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 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 4 May. 2026.
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