burst 1 of 3

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 3

noun

burst (forth)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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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
Once a cushioned conduit to the other side, the casket now bursts with the wisdom of a life lived outside the box. Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025 Her paintings burst off the canvas. Grace Edquist, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hardaway seems best suited to share most of his minutes with Jokic and benefit from the resulting open 3-point looks, while Murray’s ball-in-hand burst and authority are qualities the second unit needs. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025 But that does not stop him from making an impact in smaller bursts. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Noun
  • The Orionid meteor shower peak begins tonight, welcoming a spectacular natural light show that could see a flurry of shooting stars spawned by Halley's Comet brighten the dark, moonless sky.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Panahi, who has been imprisoned in Iran several times, is Stateside for the first time in two decades for the opening, doing a flurry of Q&As.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This frustration has fueled the explosion of AI headshot tools like InstaHeadshots, PhotoPacksAI, HeadshotPro and Aragon AI, services that promise a professional image in minutes starting at under $50.
    Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This Isn’t Kittle’s Game Everyone sees that George Kittle is back and expects a fantasy football explosion.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And finally, there’s the eruption of the massive youth protest movement in late 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for refusing to wear a hijab.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Geologists believe that the primary trigger was climatic and ocean changes related to large-scale volcanic eruptions in what is today Siberia, Russia.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Los Alamitos’ outburst also included a 74-yard touchdown reception by Boise State committed tight end Beckham Hofland from Colin Creason.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Still, an offensive outburst from Ohtani would be a welcome sight.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Money earned from these collectibles, as well as from flash book sales, enable the Friends group to provide various programs for children and adults, fund author visits, purchase equipment and supply raffle prizes for children’s reading programs and refreshments for monthly book discussions.
    Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
  • And the exposure to bright artificial flashes of light, even for milliseconds, can not only disrupt human circadian rhythms, leading to less and lower-quality sleep, but has also been linked to certain types of cancers in humans.
    Big Think, Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After two hours of high-speed, eardrum-bursting laps around the winding track, Verstappen proved victorious, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing in second and third, respectively.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The shelter tab represents the second full fiscal year that Massachusetts taxpayers have shelled out larger-than-normal sums to house homeless families after a surge of migrant arrivals pushed the emergency assistance shelter system to a bursting point.
    Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Activities like math and scheduling need to be done in short spurts.
    Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • For that reason, wax paper should only be used for short spurts, at low to medium power—not for extended heating.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Later, when Doyle comes into some mysterious bags of cash, and heads toward the mainland with a bottle of booze, a boat, and one last chance to go out in a blaze of self-immolation, Farrell manages to mix dread and adrenaline into every silent expression.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Social media users posted videos showing the blaze, a huge column of fire and thick black smoke rising above the facility which could be seen from other parts of the city.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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