bursts 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of burst
1
as in explodes
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 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

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

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bursts

2 of 2

noun

plural of burst

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 bursts
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 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 The same striped sole is used for the second variant, which bursts forth with more color via red suede and blue overlays. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
But that does not stop him from making an impact in smaller bursts. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Switching gears to summer, easy pieces from swimwear to shirtdresses came in an array of color bursts, and played with prints. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 The world falls away below while autumn air embraces you and bursts of color paint the seams between the pines. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Scenes pivot between Ron’s main arc and seemingly random side plots, each of which deliver quick bursts of outlandish comedy. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025 However, the Old Farmer's Almanac issued a differing prediction, saying Michigan will experience a warmer winter — and some cold bursts expected in the UP. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 The entire property bursts with thickets of shaggy palm trees, enormous birds of paradise, and other tropical plants. Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025 Henry’s operative term is plyometrics, referring to short bursts of exercise that build agility. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
  • The post also included a video showing aerial footage of a fast-moving boat at sea that suddenly explodes.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When Whitney accuses her of lying to cover up her misdoings, everything explodes.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a small town like Harding, a crime involving local children of local families shatters the relatively placid and usually numb routines of daily life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … HEAT HISTORY – Padres flamethrower shatters MLB record with jaw-dropping pitch in playoff battle.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Spaces to roam are flanked by a central courtyard restaurant that buzzes with diners who feast over The House’s signature lobster pasta, moquecas (Brazilian fish stew), and cassava gnocchi.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
  • From the cinemas to the speakeasy to the panels and late-night conversations, every corner buzzes with energy.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Light flurries may arrive unexpectedly during the week of Thanksgiving, but as of right now, things look pretty calm.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Ali was scoring plenty with jabs and flurries, but his attempts to land big punches mostly fell flat.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What To Know Telegram channels and Ukrainian media reported that there were explosions in Feodosia overnight Sunday after drones attacked an oil depot which caused a fire that could be seen miles away.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The blast set off smaller explosions, local officials said, and shook homes as far as 15 miles away while scattering debris over half a square mile.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, they are designed to focus on the large solar eruptions because these have the most effects on infrastructure on Earth.
    Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Stellar activity could affect the gas cloud, causing episodic behavior that could mimic eruptions.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025
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
  • As Richard tries to kill Carrie, Sigrid shoots him in the shoulder and Lo smashes him in the face with a piece of boating equipment.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • As several women listen intently, Belushi, donning a toga, rips the guitar out of Bishop's hands and smashes it into a wall.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

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

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