bustling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbəs-liŋ How to pronounce bustling (audio)
Definition of bustlingnext
1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening

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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

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bustling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bustle
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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2
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party

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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 bustling
Adjective
Many settled in Astoria decades ago, drawn by low rents and a neighborhood that could feel calm compared with other bustling parts of New York. — Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 30 June 2026 Some teenagers will describe a location first (a fun college town, a rural, gated campus, a bustling urban environment); others might say something about size, culture, or the strength of a particular academic program. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
Residents braced for gridlocked streets, overflowing crowds and a bustling summer unlike any the city had ever seen. — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026 Bedford’s Market at Gateway development is quickly taking shape along the bustling corner of Airport Freeway and North Industrial Boulevard. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
  1. busy
  2. buzzing
  3. bursting
  4. hurrying
  5. engaged
  6. vibrant
  7. teeming
  8. traveling
Adjective
  • The pair is busy with the remodeling of the building that’s going to be the home for their new restaurant and are excited to share a part of African cuisine with the Keller community.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • The company expects that the hospital would see 20 to 30 patrons on a typical day and 30 to 50 patrons on a busier one, the letter said.
    — Rose Evans July 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026
Definition of busy
Adjective
  • But the loud, buzzing, mechanical presence often panics wildlife and alters natural behavior.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • Earlier this morning in New York’s always-buzzing Meatpacking District, a long queue of young, cool folks could be seen lining up along 14th street—circling the block from 10th avenue all the way to 9th.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of buzzing
Verb
  • Call it the canary yellow uniforms in the coal mine — except the Red Sox have shot up the elevator shaft, bursting from their subterranean crypt.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • All that was missing was a second goal, which Mikel Merino provided once again, bursting onto the field like a bolt of lightning from the bench in the closing minutes.
    — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
Definition of bursting
Verb
  • Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 May 2026
  • No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of hurrying
Adjective
  • Retirees who stay engaged, maintain relationships, and pursue meaningful activities often find more satisfaction than those who simply step away from work without a clear plan for what comes next.
    — Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Keep reading to discover new ways to help kids stay engaged and on top of their learning.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of engaged
Adjective
  • That has given Zavagnin a unique perspective on how soccer has gone from an afterthought to a vibrant part of Kansas City.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • Making the most of your visit Miami itself offers a unique combination of international culture, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and diverse dining.
    — Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Definition of vibrant
Verb
  • Tucked into the southern end of the teeming, alluvial Willamette River valley, the region’s natural abundance began attracting farmers in the mid-nineteenth century.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • These sentences are part of a four-plus-page descriptive riff, one of many passages that lend the novel a teeming, avid opacity.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Definition of teeming
Verb
  • That made things much easier, especially for family members traveling internationally for the first time.
    — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The Koester family was traveling to Nashville for a soccer tournament when the crash occurred, according to the fundraiser.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of traveling

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Cite this Entry

“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bustling

Nglish: Translation of bustling for Spanish Speakers

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