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
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Try setting a timer for yourself and seeing how much you can get done in quick bursts (with breaks in between, of course).
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
After looking at the data, the researchers found that most participants’ molecules and microbiomes aged in bursts.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 5 Mar. 2026
First, the battery stores electrical energy so the system can deliver bursts of assist torque even when the engine isn’t spinning fast enough to supply that current directly.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Rain chances will be low today, but the chance for rain will pick up heading into the overnight hours, with two to three bursts of rain and storms expected for Thursday.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Deep, infrequent watering is preferred over short bursts of more frequent watering.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Other researchers have studied these kinds of bursts before, but this sneaker study examines friction happening at much faster speeds.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
In general, her scoring sprees feel more sustainable and less like streaky bursts of shooting.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 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
This chain reaction — a photoelectric feedback loop — produces intense radiation bursts of X-rays and gamma rays that can reach deep space.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Try setting a timer for yourself and seeing how much you can get done in quick bursts (with breaks in between, of course).
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
After looking at the data, the researchers found that most participants’ molecules and microbiomes aged in bursts.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 5 Mar. 2026
First, the battery stores electrical energy so the system can deliver bursts of assist torque even when the engine isn’t spinning fast enough to supply that current directly.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
Rain chances will be low today, but the chance for rain will pick up heading into the overnight hours, with two to three bursts of rain and storms expected for Thursday.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Deep, infrequent watering is preferred over short bursts of more frequent watering.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Other researchers have studied these kinds of bursts before, but this sneaker study examines friction happening at much faster speeds.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
In general, her scoring sprees feel more sustainable and less like streaky bursts of shooting.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
Birmingham reunites with Dutton in Marshals and is injured in the first episode when a bomb explodes during a protest at the Broken Rock reservation.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
-
An incoming projectile explodes over the water in the bay of Haifa off of the northern Israeli coastal city on February 28, 2026.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The glass shatters with a spray that shimmers in the lantern light.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From early morning until sunset, the property buzzes with energy.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
On the ground level, Gaia Bar, situated in a quiet courtyard, is the place to enjoy a signature craft cocktail, while just outside, Athens buzzes with activity.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And flurries have been spotted as far south as as Cape Coral, Florida, south of Tampa.—
Naema Ahmed,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a better chance of snow flurries in Homestead than the Heat intentionally losing games to improve their draft position.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Multiple explosions were heard in Tehran, with blasts lighting up the sky and turning it orange, according to reports from the Iranian capital.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Grainy black-and-white videos show explosions destroying Iran’s ships, missiles and missile launchers.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers isolated phenomena including the El Niño weather phase, volcanic eruptions and solar irradiance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
These include El Niño, volcanic eruptions and the solar cycle, which influence temperatures in the short term, masking long-term changes.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursts. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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