as in disturbances
a state of noisy, confused activity
I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in scurries
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bustles
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The designs featured corsets, bustles, feathers, ruffles, and a limited color palette of black, white and tan, with a splash of red.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Temporary and permanent business closures across Minneapolis Ordinarily on weekends, Midtown Global Market bustles with live music, laughing children and a diverse array of businesses, says González.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Often an aunt bustles in and replaces a dead mother.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Vercors Regional Natural Park is on the village’s doorstep and the whole place bustles with performers, music, shows and stalls for the medieval festival held each year in the first week of August.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Inside, the studio bustles with activity.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025
Fabric and craft ranged from raffia to sequins, bustles to intarsia.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
The downtown bustles with businesses both old and new.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The designs featured corsets, bustles, feathers, ruffles, and a limited color palette of black, white and tan, with a splash of red.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Temporary and permanent business closures across Minneapolis Ordinarily on weekends, Midtown Global Market bustles with live music, laughing children and a diverse array of businesses, says González.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Often an aunt bustles in and replaces a dead mother.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Vercors Regional Natural Park is on the village’s doorstep and the whole place bustles with performers, music, shows and stalls for the medieval festival held each year in the first week of August.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Inside, the studio bustles with activity.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2025
Fabric and craft ranged from raffia to sequins, bustles to intarsia.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustles
Noun
-
The team is a military police unit trained to respond to civil disturbances.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The best chance to see the aurora is expected overnight from Thursday, April 9, into the early hours of April 10, when incoming solar wind disturbances may temporarily push Earth's magnetic field into G1 (minor) geomagnetic form levels, according to NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 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
Verb
-
The way Radcliffe scurries out of his chair and into the green room to meet Liu illustrates her visceral impact.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Bridgerton fans can spot the Old Royal Naval College mostly throughout season 2, like when a paperboy scurries across the grounds to deliver the latest gossip from Lady Whistledown in the first episode.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An alarm that chimes instead of buzzes.—
Stephen Watson,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The 15 seconds is displayed on the pitch clock, and umpires wear a communication device that buzzes when the clock strikes zero.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clarke excelled laying his body on the line to thwart shot attempts and foil odd-man rushes while remaining the Kings’ most mobile defender and their best rearguard by far with the puck.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Bain rushes the passer with bad intentions, which covers for his shorter-than-desired arm length (30 7/8 inches) for his position.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The desert air in Phoenix, Arizona hums a little louder during NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Your neighbor might rely on an oxygen concentrator to breathe – a machine the size of a carry-on bag that hums quietly through the night.—
Katherine Asmussen,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bustles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustles. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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