bursting 1 of 3

Definition of burstingnext

bursting

2 of 3

noun

as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding narrowly escaped the bursting of the car's gas tank

Synonyms & Similar Words

bursting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of burst
1
as in exploding
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in shattering
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in buzzing
to be copiously supplied a young singer/dancer who seems to be bursting with energy and talent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bursting
Noun
The Japan romantics may be overlooking some clear drawbacks, however, including the 30 years of economic struggles that followed the bursting of a truly epic bubble in the 1990s. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026 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 Strategy was formerly known as MicroStrategy — going public in June 1998 at $10 a share — promptly sprinting up 31-fold to around $320 before sinking fast in the wake of the dot-com bubble bursting and the revelation of dodgy revenue accounting at the analytics software company. Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 Though his language is that of the every day his preternatural instinct for rhythm fills his lines with a bursting musicality. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026 The bursting of the dot-com bubble helped cause the 2001 recession and led the Nasdaq to lose over 75% of its value by late 2002. Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025 This wasn’t a hack or a bubble bursting. João Marinotti, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025 To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Say hello to your new favorite pizza that’s bursting with vibrant flavor! Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026 Others expel water from their cells to prevent the freeze-thaw cycle from bursting cell walls. Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026 But the portions aim to pack a sizable punch, with popular birria or fish tacos bursting with ingredients. Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026 The prettiest goal of the night came from the fourth-line center, Horvat, bursting through the middle of the Czech Republic defense and going in alone to make it 3-0. Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026 After flooding and damage from bursting pipes worsened over the past week and a half at the troubled Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill, town officials officially condemned 200 apartments in the massive complex Thursday afternoon. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026 Adding White to a young crop bursting in talent thanks to the likes of Ball, Miller and Knueppel only bolsters the Hornets’ chances to end the playoff drought. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026 As Dracula, Jones is giddy and joyous with flecks of depravity bursting through as the plot expands to include his ethereal bond with Harker’s fiancée, Mina Murray (also Bleu). Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026 Getting a quick checkup could prevent your pipes from bursting later on. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursting
Adjective
  • The new system allows citations to be transmitted electronically and enter the court records system pre-filled.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • This comforter is pre-filled and designed to be two inches wider than standard sizes for an extra-plush feel and complete bed coverage.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Braedon Tobin lit the lamp four times in an offensive eruption, powering Sandwich in a 7-3 win over Dennis-Yarmouth in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.
    Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
  • That includes a 26-point eruption in which Alvarado made eight 3-pointers in Philadelphia.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The creative industries there were exploding.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.
    Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.
    Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Who wants to close out the week in Guadalajara drinking the finest tequila on earth, or eating through the buzzing dining scene of Chicago?
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Michael Kors welcomed a packed front row of celebrities to the Metropolitan Opera House on Thursday evening for his fall 2026 show, which also happened to be his 45th anniversary.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Ford was speaking to a packed room of international producers at Winston Baker’s annual Film Finance Forum, co-sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter and held alongside the Berlin International Film Festival.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • On even longer timescales, the remnant black holes that were created, whether from stellar explosions, neutron star mergers, a collapsing gas cloud, or having grown into supermassive behemoths, will all evaporate.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
  • With the population of millionaires and billionaires aging, and an explosion in companies and products promising miracle cures, the wealthy are driving much of the spending.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.
    MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque’s inner gate.
    Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bursting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursting. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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