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
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
As Antoine Semenyo chases a loose ball down the left flank, left-back Adrien Truffert bursts forward to support him inside.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
At Café Pasqual’s, the James Beard Award-winning eatery in the heart of downtown, every dish bursts with the vibrant flavors of organic, farm-to-table ingredients.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Creatine may help with short bursts of high-intensity exercise and symptoms of mental fatigue, but more research is needed.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Alex McDowell, a local plumber, says pipe bursts and system failures spike whenever temperatures fall below freezing.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Habits are built through repetition under imperfect conditions, not through short bursts of maximal effort.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Southerners experience quick dramatic bursts of overnight freezes, ice storms, and occasional dustings of snow, and nothing soothes cold-weather boredom like a grandma and her activities.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Lucas said Okorie’s speed and quick bursts were always there.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
If a pipe bursts, shutting off water quickly can limit damage.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
As Antoine Semenyo chases a loose ball down the left flank, left-back Adrien Truffert bursts forward to support him inside.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 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 team layered multiple types of hydrogels, including water-rich, conductive materials, in a precise pattern that mimics the ionic processes electric eels use to produce bursts of electricity.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
At Café Pasqual’s, the James Beard Award-winning eatery in the heart of downtown, every dish bursts with the vibrant flavors of organic, farm-to-table ingredients.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Creatine may help with short bursts of high-intensity exercise and symptoms of mental fatigue, but more research is needed.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Alex McDowell, a local plumber, says pipe bursts and system failures spike whenever temperatures fall below freezing.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Habits are built through repetition under imperfect conditions, not through short bursts of maximal effort.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Southerners experience quick dramatic bursts of overnight freezes, ice storms, and occasional dustings of snow, and nothing soothes cold-weather boredom like a grandma and her activities.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Lucas said Okorie’s speed and quick bursts were always there.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
If a pipe bursts, shutting off water quickly can limit damage.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
Continue reading … INTERNAL STRIFE – CBS reporter explodes at top editor during heated meeting over long-delayed 'Inside CECOT' segment.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
San Francisco Travel Association Color explodes across the walls of Clarion Alley—a narrow passage in the Mission District known for its ever-changing murals.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One agent opens the back-seat door as the car begins to move; another shatters her passenger-side window.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Bradford pear shatters easily at the trunk due to the branch angles, Zampini says.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This hotel buzzes with young style- and budget-conscious travelers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Getty Images Of the nine players in the Rays’ batting order Opening Day 2025 against the visiting Rockies, only four remain with the club less than one month before Charlotte Sports Park buzzes with activity that signals the start of spring training.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Snow flurries were reported in Tampa and Sarasota, and the thermometer dropped to 30 degrees at Miami International Airport on Christmas Day 1989.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For the most part, the flurries will be light and not expected to cause problems, although there is a low chance for light snow accumulations — a tenth or two of an inch — along the Iowa and Missouri border, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to tremors emanating from within the planet, these sensors detect explosions, traffic vibrations and even the vocalizations made by whales in the oceans.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Ultimately, however, the shuttle flew a total of 135 missions with two explosions, resulting in 14 total casualties.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After eruptions in the 18th century buried farmland under ash, growers adapted by digging large pits called hoyos.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Much of the production is supremely pleasant to listen to, but just as hazy and confused as the plot, splitting between spacey expanses of synth and dramatic eruptions.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When Mickey smashes the broom, each piece becomes a new water-fetching runaway robot.—
Bipul Sinha,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursts. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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