Synonyms of bustle

bustle 1 of 2

noun

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity

I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commotion
• disturbance
• hurry
• stir
• fuss
• turmoil
• noise
• clatter
• hubbub
• racket
• storm
• clutter
• to-do
• fun
• row
• tumult
• hoopla
• hurly-burly
• hurricane
• zoo
• pandemonium
• hullabaloo
• coil
• ado
• roar
• bother
• ruckus
• ruction
• furore
• ballyhoo
• rumpus
• squall
• uproar
• pother
• flurry
• blather
• furor
• whirl
• bluster
• welter
• hurry-scurry
• kerfuffle
• stew
• hurly
• shindy
• helter-skelter
• foofaraw
• hoo-ha
• moil
• upheaval
• din
• splore
• hubble-bubble
• cacophony
• bobbery
• alarums and excursions
• clamor
• unrest
• outcry
• disorder
• do
• eruption
• williwaw
• howl
• hue and cry
• outbreak
• flutter
• fray
• outburst
• brawl
• scuffle
• melee
• fever
• fracas
• hassle
• fret
• tizzy
• flare-up
• dither
• lather

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• stillness
• tranquility
• quiet
• calm
• hush
• quietude
• order
• orderliness

bustle

2 of 2

verb

ˈbə-səl 

1

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied

on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• buzz
• hum
• bulge
• brim
• swarm
• abound
• teem
• overflow
• crawl
• bristle
• pullulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• need
• want
• lack

2

as in to rush

to proceed or move quickly

the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rush
• hurry
• race
• speed
• scurry
• travel
• drive
• fly
• zip
• trot
• buzz
• chase
• hustle
• jump
• scoot
• run
• dart
• blow
• dash
• tear
• step
• breeze
• scuttle
• blast
• rustle
• motor
• whirl
• bowl
• zoom
• career
• bolt
• rip
• crack (on)
• jog
• hare
• belt
• jet
• course
• shoot
• ram
• whisk
• blaze
• barrel
• rocket
• hump
• bundle
• hasten
• hurtle
• highball
• hie
• hurl
• beat it
• nip
• get a move on
• pelt
• gallop
• make tracks
• careen
• bomb
• shake a leg
• step on it
• hotfoot (it)
• cannonball
• flit
• scamper
• stampede
• streak
• sprint
• beetle
• accelerate
• scuffle
• overtake
• step out
• whiz
• quicken
• outrun
• catch up
• outpace
• scud
• outstrip
• arrow
• fast-forward
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• creep
• drag
• hang (around or out)
• crawl
• lag
• linger
• poke
• dawdle
• stroll
• loiter
• tarry
• shuffle
• poke
• amble
• slow (down or up)
• saunter
• lumber
• plod
• decelerate
• dillydally
• dally

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bustle

Noun

Inspired by the hustle and bustle of New York City, the fragrance blends a juicy burst of cherry with a succulent, warm base of Jasmine sambac and sensual Ambrofix. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 6 July 2026

The clubby street-side Street Bar bustles with locals and visitors from dawn to dusk, while its rooftop restaurant, Contessa, is among the sceneiest spots in town. — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026

Verb

On a May morning, TVS Motor Company’s factory on a 120-hectare campus located in the industrial enclave of Hosur in south India is bustling with activity. — Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

For travelers looking to relocate to East Asia, the island nation of Taiwan stands apart for its diverse array of bustling night markets, verdant national parks, and tropical coastline. — Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026