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 hurrying
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
ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
On July 5, 1978, a group of young disabled people blocked two city buses at a bustling downtown Denver intersection to demand that wheelchair lifts be installed on new buses.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
City officials have long hoped that the addition of a baseball stadium would connect the tourism-heavy Union Station and Crown Center district with the bustling Crossroads district, a key tie between two popular but distinct destinations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
On July 5, 1978, a group of young disabled people blocked two city buses at a bustling downtown Denver intersection to demand that wheelchair lifts be installed on new buses.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Just like Cooper's home, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment offers direct views of the bustling courtyard below.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
City officials have long hoped that the addition of a baseball stadium would connect the tourism-heavy Union Station and Crown Center district with the bustling Crossroads district, a key tie between two popular but distinct destinations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
-
SpaceX was responsible for most of the 71 rockets launched last year from Vandenberg, one of the world’s busiest spaceports.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
In response, Asia has been busy implementing a range of measures, from restricting energy use to introducing fuel subsidies, re-starting coal plants, and imposing export restrictions.—
Wendy Cutler,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The feeding ports keep out buzzing bees, while the ant moat hanger will keep away pesky ants, so the nectar is saved just for the hummingbirds.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
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Located near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, these elegant accommodations are in the neighborhood's buzzing fashion district.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Following a brutal winter season, Martha's Bedford farm is now bursting with colorful blooms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As April comes to a close, Amazon’s outlet is bursting with even more exciting deals than usual.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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By identifying moments when viewers are likely to be more engaged, however, TV companies hope to gain some of their pricing power.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In other words, Reddit is tracking its users and only punishing only the most engaged ones.—
Jon Christian,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These ferns feature shiny, vibrant green leaves.—
Lauren Wellbank,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
These annual and perennial flowers quickly fill out pots and start blooming early in the season with vibrant color that continues all season long.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
To accept that there will always be creatures teeming nearby, some of them agonizing, expelled from their days.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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Mason evokes the vibrant street scene vividly, with archive footage of the area’s teeming bars and even a nod to the Donut Time store immortalized in Sean Baker’s transgender High Noon story Tangerine.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 1992, Pau spent a year traveling to New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on an Asian Cultural Council grant.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Dyer said a second plane was traveling to the event from Amarillo at the same time.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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