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
Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
In fact, when experienced in short bursts, stress can be beneficial by increasing focus, improving performance and preparing the body to handle challenges.
—Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Short bursts of intense heat raise your skin and body temperature, which researchers have found triggers your brain to start regulating your temperature.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 May 2026
The electrons that generate these bursts travel mainly along magnetic field lines at speeds approaching that of light, producing radio waves through a plasma emission process.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The Second World War and the Cold War caused similar bursts in invention, creating nuclear power, radar, wonder drugs, computers, satellites, microchips, Moon landings, GPS, and much more.
—David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
This setup will lead to an uneven rain pattern, where some neighborhoods could pick up quick bursts of heavy rainfall while others see little at all.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026
Kay describes the aesthetic of the record in bursts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Sycamore’s story is told in short bursts that immerse the reader into the present moment, creating a sense of urgency in the exploration of self, art, and family.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 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
Scientists at Stanford found that biological aging accelerates in two distinct bursts, once around age 44 and again around 60, making the 30s and 40s a critical window for intervention.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
In fact, when experienced in short bursts, stress can be beneficial by increasing focus, improving performance and preparing the body to handle challenges.
—Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Short bursts of intense heat raise your skin and body temperature, which researchers have found triggers your brain to start regulating your temperature.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 May 2026
The electrons that generate these bursts travel mainly along magnetic field lines at speeds approaching that of light, producing radio waves through a plasma emission process.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The Second World War and the Cold War caused similar bursts in invention, creating nuclear power, radar, wonder drugs, computers, satellites, microchips, Moon landings, GPS, and much more.
—David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
This setup will lead to an uneven rain pattern, where some neighborhoods could pick up quick bursts of heavy rainfall while others see little at all.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026
Kay describes the aesthetic of the record in bursts.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Sycamore’s story is told in short bursts that immerse the reader into the present moment, creating a sense of urgency in the exploration of self, art, and family.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
And this is where the computing space explodes.—
Glenn Zorpette,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the boarding house buzzes around him.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
At night, Bar Dryce buzzes with hip city-dwellers and, on weekends, DJ sets.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The latest flurries that dusted parts of the Sierra Nevada this week are unlikely to do much to ease California’s snow drought.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the rain and snow fall, flurries can melt, mix together and refreeze just before hitting the ground, according to Jackson Macfarlane, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boise office.—
Hali Smith
April 14,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Use of inert bombs – or bombs with a small yield – could explain the lack of a large explosions or secondary blasts that an explosive warhead could cause, analysts said.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
The first of these explosions was spotted in 2018, and only 14 have been detected since, leading to a solid mystery for astronomers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 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
-
Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his world outdoor pole vault record and Seppo Raty of Finland smashes the world javelin record during the Toto International Super Track and Field Meet in Japan.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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Before the opening credits roll, Creasy smashes his car into a concrete barrier.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursts. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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