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
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
hives burst forth on the child's arms and face whenever she goes near that plant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burst
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
As ice and snow accumulate, the weight can damage power lines and tree limbs, and pipes can burst from freezing.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Marin Wolf — Boston Globe, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Then enjoy the delightful burst of flavors.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
One of them burst in 2015 near Refugio State Beach, causing one of the biggest oil spills in the state’s history.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
As ice and snow accumulate, the weight can damage power lines and tree limbs, and pipes can burst from freezing.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
The biotech industry has struggled since the pandemic bubble of over-investment burst.
—Marin Wolf — Boston Globe, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Then enjoy the delightful burst of flavors.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Noun
-
Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Newport Harbor ended the first period with another flurry.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Video footage that appeared to be taken at the scene captured loud blasts and the sky glowing following explosions that began around midnight and lasted about two hours in the area of Diori Hamani International Airport.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
An explosion was reported at a metal fabricating plant on Thursday night in Pennsylvania, according to officials.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps a cataclysm—an earthquake, a volcanic eruption—had driven those people away.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The eight main islands were formed by eruptions, landslides and erosion over thousands of years.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The film shows how Davidson, with the help of friends played by Maxine Peake and Peter Mullan — the latter who is nominated in BAFTA’s Supporting Actor category — learned how to try and control his outbursts.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
-
No one was hurt, but the tour decided post-match to forfeit the Arnold/Emmrich team for the outburst.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To the museum board, this seemed like a poor allocation of resources; certainly the guards or docents could instruct people on flash usage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
There were a lot of flash bulbs and a lot of darkness.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This helps water flow as the ice melts and relieves pressure, reducing the risk of the pipe bursting.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
-
While plumbers said winter is known for pipes bursting, once the weather starts thawing out in the spring, their call volume picks up.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn't reduce their deficit below 12 points.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Tigers reeled off a 6-2 spurt, but 10 points each from Dailyn Swain and Jordan Pope still give the Longhorns a double-digit cushion.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Xcel disputes that its equipment started one of the blazes.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The proximity of clotheslines, curtains, and building material to stovetops and kerosene lamps would, now and then, ignite blazes that swallowed entire homes, blocks, and families.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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