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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• tranquillity
• 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
• blast
• scuttle
• breeze
• rustle
• motor
• whirl
• bowl
• zoom
• career
• bolt
• rip
• crack (on)
• jog
• hare
• jet
• belt
• course
• shoot
• ram
• whisk
• blaze
• barrel
• rocket
• hump
• bundle
• hasten
• hurtle
• highball
• hie
• hurl
• beat it
• nip
• get a move on
• gallop
• pelt
• 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
• whizz
• 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

Animals that are kennel-trained will likely be pleased to be in their cozy confines and away from the bustle of vacuums, mops, and the like, but for those who are roamers, consider gating off an area for them. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025

The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Florida While Florida is hardly a hidden state, Amelia Island feels worlds away from the bustle of Miami or Orlando. —Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Verb

Twice a year, in spring and fall—as well as a smaller showcase during winter—the tiny town of Round Top, Texas, goes from under 100 residents to a place bustling with over 100,000 people looking for design inspiration or that next great piece to add to their household collection. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025

Nurse practitioner Melinda gives up her life in bustling Los Angeles to move to a small town in Northern California. —Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025