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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bustles
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Here, in the very same county where Atlanta bustles 29 miles south, small town life is an escape from urbanism.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustles
Noun
-
The medication is also sometimes prescribed for nightmares and other sleep disturbances caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the AP.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
-
It also is sometimes prescribed for nightmares and other sleep disturbances caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
The older dog is shown marching along, while the puppy scurries along, attempting to match its pace.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In some versions of the tale, the wolf scurries off to the forest while the three pigs live happily ever after in humble homesteads of their choice.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Beetle buzzes by with tiny pumpkins perched on top, and Xuanwu, a ground robot carrying a drone, walks ominously in the background.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In September, New York buzzes with the energy of New York Fashion Week (NYFW).—
Tabitha Britt,
Flow Space,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The third-year running back was in the midst of a quiet season, getting just three rushes for six yards across three games.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Like all sugar rushes, the high fades fast and you’re left with a stomachache.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But locals embrace the town’s remoteness, enjoying the alpine trails that begin right off Main Street, the legendary ski terrain, and a downtown that hums with old mining town charm.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
-
For example, from the front porch of a nearby house, wind turbines don't typically sound louder than a household refrigerator, which hums at around 55 dBA.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amid these troubled times, dotted by funding cuts, hope abounds with last week’s launch of the Australian Championship, a second-tier competition that aims to connect the top and bottom of the country’s football pyramid.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Depth abounds in the backcourt.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So, Don handles the electric clippers in the backseat while Teddy speeds away from the crime scene.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Total structural failure is likely near the path of Melissa, especially in higher elevation areas where wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains could be up to 30 percent stronger.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bustles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustles. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share