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
Alex Kreger, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
For us, steady progress is key, as rapid spikes often create unsustainable bubbles that eventually burst.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
Mona Gable, AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025
With the appearance of a tempting jelly dessert, one swipe delivers a sheer, dewy burst of color (and even a glossy lip).
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
Micro-interactions—such as a satisfying haptic pop or an encouraging confetti burst—create a sense of praise and emotional connection.
—Alex Kreger, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
For us, steady progress is key, as rapid spikes often create unsustainable bubbles that eventually burst.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
Noun
Perhaps the country’s wildest, most isolated park, Corcovado bursts with 140 mammal species, 370 bird species, and 10,000 insect species.
—Mona Gable, AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025
With the appearance of a tempting jelly dessert, one swipe delivers a sheer, dewy burst of color (and even a glossy lip).
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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Charles Nelson had just gotten out the door on his way to a concert in Millennium Park Monday afternoon when gunfire exploded up his South Side block.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Aug. 2025
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Yolo County top health official declared Monday a local health emergency to assess if hazardous material spread across soil, water and crops bordering an Esparto warehouse filled with fireworks that exploded in July and killed seven people.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The adjustable straps provide a true-to-size fit and the sheer lace won’t bulge through tight clothing.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Both can affect your quality of life: Atherosclerosis can cause heart attacks, strokes, poor blood flow to the legs, or bulging arteries.—
Alexandria Nyembwe,
Health,
20 July 2025
Noun
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The exec’s comments came after the company made a flurry of ESPN announcements, including a landmark deal with the NFL to swap equity for control of NFL Media assets.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 Aug. 2025
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Since most of the agency’s old guard departed in a flurry of resignations more than a year ago, SANDAG’s new leaders have moved to make many of the outstanding reforms called for by auditors, a new report finds.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There's also been an explosion of machine identities, known as non-human identities (NHIs), that enterprises have to contend with.—
TK Keanini,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Within hours, the hospital would receive trauma victims from a series of explosions at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works.—
Salena Zito,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The children died in June 2023 in what prosecutors described as an eruption of violence motivated by fear of losing them to their father, Nathan John, according to the BBC, who survived the attack.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The same earthquake is believed to have triggered the eruption of Klyuchevskoy, Kamchatka's most active volcano, which began on Wednesday.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The first nuclear weapon was detonated in secret at Alamogordo Bombing Range in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, inaugurating the Atomic Age.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Aug. 2025
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Bomarc rockets had jets designed to propel a W40 nuclear warhead into high-flying USSR aircraft, which would detonate in the sky, showering the earth with radioactive debris, neutralizing quite a few enemies of American freedom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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By then, there were two outs, Jesse Winker was on second and came home on an RBI single by Starling Marte, dramatically smashing his helmet at home plate, punctuating a two-run lead.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Aug. 2025
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The Capitol building had been breached two hours earlier, with doors knocked off hinges and windows smashed.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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