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
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
This new radio technology continued to use GFSK but tuned for low duty cycles and intermittent bursts.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Other researchers have studied these kinds of bursts before, but this sneaker study examines friction happening at much faster speeds.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The circumstances involved multiple pipe bursts at the building fed by the recent cold temperatures, said Ahmad Taylor, executive director of the Pontiac Housing Commission.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Clove and thyme add bursts of flavor to the white beans and bacon.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Elated yells echoed through the halls of the Werth Family Champions Center on Wednesday afternoon as the UConn women’s basketball team concluded practice, bursts of celebration exploding as though players were hitting championship game winners every couple of minutes.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 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
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
This new radio technology continued to use GFSK but tuned for low duty cycles and intermittent bursts.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
Hi-hats and snares appear in fragmentary bursts, icy synths precipitate and evaporate, and Zel slithers wryly in the cut.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026
Other researchers have studied these kinds of bursts before, but this sneaker study examines friction happening at much faster speeds.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The circumstances involved multiple pipe bursts at the building fed by the recent cold temperatures, said Ahmad Taylor, executive director of the Pontiac Housing Commission.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Clove and thyme add bursts of flavor to the white beans and bacon.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Elated yells echoed through the halls of the Werth Family Champions Center on Wednesday afternoon as the UConn women’s basketball team concluded practice, bursts of celebration exploding as though players were hitting championship game winners every couple of minutes.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
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
-
The next morning, Carolyn explodes under the pressure of her own rage.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 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
-
For better and worse, the energy that once belonged to the cineplex now buzzes on our small screens, with all of the industry consequences that that entails.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
When Cana reaches capacity, the dining room buzzes with energy.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Temperatures dialed back down heading into the weekend, with strong winds and light flurries in the forecast.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Jordan, several explosions believed to be missiles being intercepted were heard along with the sound of fighter jets.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
-
At least three explosions were heard Saturday evening near the Intelligence Ministry building in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating there.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, the eruptions grew stronger in the 1980s and 1990s, reaching heights of up to 75 feet and lasting over 90 minutes, before slowing down in the early 2000s.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
There were a few eruptions over the following years, but the geyser was largely inactive.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
-
During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 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 5 Mar. 2026.
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