1
as in explodes
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 shatters
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 flurries
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 explosions
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in eruptions
the act or an instance of exploding
one burst after another could be heard in the distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bursts
Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.
—FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Later, as the film plays, the crowd bursts intermittently into laughter, cracking up at the clown-car quality of everyone piling into the van for the first time.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Sedona Sedona is another popular fall break destination for many reasons, least of all being Oak Creek Canyon, which bursts with color during the autumn months.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As Alien fans know, the facehugger will impregnate its host with a Xenomorph embryo, which eventually bursts from the host's chest.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The movie is a tour de force In IMAX, the format’s large screen and huge sound a perfect partner for the purple one’s charisma, which positively bursts off the screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Third Thursdays bring the festive Art Walk, when the district bursts with local art, live music, and technicolor vibes.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025
William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Most radio-producing objects release bursts that last for mere seconds or less, but long-period radio transients, about a dozen of which are known, produce radio waves in bursts lasting from minutes to over an hour.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Through three rounds, Orlov only hit his top speed with bursts above 20 miles per hour four times, according to NHL Edge data.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Sparse trees dot the view, and black volcanic soil is broken only by sudden bursts of bright green pushing through the ash.
—Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Eventually, the blister bursts, releasing uranium hydride powder and exposing fresh metal that accelerates the reaction.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
That aging ensemble bursts with talent — so much so that its writers don’t mind killing off the occasional gramps or gran.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
How do the electromagnetic radiation bursts known as flares decide to erupt?
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
On Wednesday morning, radar showed pockets of heavy rain already developing across parts of the metro, including from Johns Creek to Norcross and Tucker, where intense bursts of rainfall could drop a couple of inches in about an hour.
—Troy Bridges, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Verb
Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.
—Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.
—FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Later, as the film plays, the crowd bursts intermittently into laughter, cracking up at the clown-car quality of everyone piling into the van for the first time.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Sedona Sedona is another popular fall break destination for many reasons, least of all being Oak Creek Canyon, which bursts with color during the autumn months.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
As Alien fans know, the facehugger will impregnate its host with a Xenomorph embryo, which eventually bursts from the host's chest.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The movie is a tour de force In IMAX, the format’s large screen and huge sound a perfect partner for the purple one’s charisma, which positively bursts off the screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Third Thursdays bring the festive Art Walk, when the district bursts with local art, live music, and technicolor vibes.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The device does not try to impress in short bursts.
—William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Most radio-producing objects release bursts that last for mere seconds or less, but long-period radio transients, about a dozen of which are known, produce radio waves in bursts lasting from minutes to over an hour.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Through three rounds, Orlov only hit his top speed with bursts above 20 miles per hour four times, according to NHL Edge data.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Sparse trees dot the view, and black volcanic soil is broken only by sudden bursts of bright green pushing through the ash.
—Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Eventually, the blister bursts, releasing uranium hydride powder and exposing fresh metal that accelerates the reaction.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
That aging ensemble bursts with talent — so much so that its writers don’t mind killing off the occasional gramps or gran.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
How do the electromagnetic radiation bursts known as flares decide to erupt?
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
On Wednesday morning, radar showed pockets of heavy rain already developing across parts of the metro, including from Johns Creek to Norcross and Tucker, where intense bursts of rainfall could drop a couple of inches in about an hour.
—Troy Bridges, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
And then, when the World Cup rolls around, the base explodes.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
-
Video shows moment Blue Origin rocket explodes What is the New Glenn rocket?—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The two commit to a duel, each agreeing to fire their guns when a bottle of champagne rolls off the bar and shatters on the floor.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
This type of error creates friction and shatters trust.—
Jerry Haywood,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Coburg Bar buzzes with a zappy, more visible, businesses-like energy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The surrounding area buzzes with energy during market hours.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The checkup came amid mounting scrutiny of the president's health, particularly given recent flurries of late-night social media posts, as well as his at-times tired demeanor during official meetings.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Snow flurries began at that elevation on Wednesday.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps alarmingly, the city’s air defenses appeared to be less active during the final wave of Russian strikes on Tuesday morning, with CNN producers hearing ongoing explosions, but not the sound of counter-systems firing.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Some were awakened by explosions; others pulled back their curtains in the early hours to see plumes of black smoke rising above the city.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
There’s a certain predictability to the plots in a Taylor Sheridan production — a kind of slow, relentless grind from crisis to crisis, punctuated by occasional eruptions of violence.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
The Island of Hawaii features three famous volcanoes — Kilauea with its spectacular eruptions, Mauna Kea and its spectacular sunsets, and Mauna Loa, the world’s highest mountain when measured from its underwater base to the summit.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
Kyle Busch smashes a guitar in victory lane!—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursts. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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