1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity
a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in travelling
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bustling
M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The line connects the bustling Praça dos Restauradores in Baixa (downtown Lisbon) with the lively Bairro Alto district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At first glance, the pieces include fragments such as those commonly found in Makola Market, one of Accra’s bustling trade centers.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
But Great Nicobar faces certain destruction as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plans to construct a container port, an airport, a township, a tourism project, and a power plant on the island—attempting to transform the island into a bustling commercial hub.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The line connects the bustling Praça dos Restauradores in Baixa (downtown Lisbon) with the lively Bairro Alto district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Suárez pulled a goal back in the 57th minute, bustling the ball home after good work from Baltasar Rodríguez, and then the Uruguayan leveled with a superb curling shot into the far corner in the 74th minute.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At first glance, the pieces include fragments such as those commonly found in Makola Market, one of Accra’s bustling trade centers.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
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There’s no better way to bring peace to a busy weeknight, welcome a new neighbor, or be reminded of your childhood than a nostalgic comfort food.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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Good morning, it's been another busy week in Central Indiana.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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At the time of his sentencing, Williams was a buzzing rapper, with his 2021 mixtape Shiesty Season, his only full-length project, peaking at Number Three on the Billboard 200.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cardinals running back Emari Demercado seemed destined to stretch Arizona’s lead to three touchdowns after bursting through the Titans defense for what appeared to be a 72-yard touchdown run.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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However, as investors have continued to seek out opportunities in AI, concerns have been raised about the possibility of a bubble bursting somewhere down the line.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Swift, the superstar singer, and Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl champion, became engaged in August.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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This album is Swift’s first as an engaged woman and her first since the Eras tour concluded in December 2024.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The satin fabrics were dyed vibrant colors and used for pieces like biker vests, dresses and apron tops.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
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Shot with both lyrical intimacy and bursts of vibrant energy, the film portrays the quiet revolution of a boy refusing to surrender his identity.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These technologies are revolutionizing humanity’s ability to catalog Earth’s species, which are estimated to number 8 million—though perhaps far, far more—by illuminating the teeming life that so often eludes human observation.—
Marion Renault,
The Atlantic,
29 Sep. 2025
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Rarely has a Premier League meeting in mid-September at Old Trafford felt like a single leg of a straight knock-out cup tie, the teeming rain and dark, heavy sky lending a midwinter feel to proceedings.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Daria watched their diligent ascent while Andrés studied the map on his phone.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Hunt After years of diligent saving, a longtime renter with a $300,000 budget weighed whether to take his parents’ advice and return to his childhood building in Elmhurst, or branch out.—
Dan Levin,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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