as in commotion
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 to rush
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity
a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bustle
Whitney Cinkala, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
In New York’s Catskill Mountains, beginners can take in views of the surrounding peaks from Belleayre’s learning area at the summit, all just a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
—Alison Fox, Outside, 20 Jan. 2026
Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
My perch for 2026 Paris Design Week was the Hotel Panache, a boutique hotel near the bustling Grands Boulevards, which offers convenience, style (think Fornasetti wallpaper and Diptyque bath products), and reasonable prices even during Paris’s busiest weeks.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Located in the bustling old city, the Muslim Library, originally built in 1793, houses more than 2,000 books in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish.
—Sarah Souli, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
This is a wealthy neighborhood, bustling with shoppers.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Noun
The Audible Listening Lodge will welcome festival attendees throughout the weekend, offering a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Sundance.
—Whitney Cinkala, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
In New York’s Catskill Mountains, beginners can take in views of the surrounding peaks from Belleayre’s learning area at the summit, all just a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.
—Alison Fox, Outside, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
These days Newport’s house is bustling with her 20-year-old daughter Gwen, Gwen’s boyfriend Logan, her mother, Marge (aka Muzzy), and Bradley all living there.
—Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
My perch for 2026 Paris Design Week was the Hotel Panache, a boutique hotel near the bustling Grands Boulevards, which offers convenience, style (think Fornasetti wallpaper and Diptyque bath products), and reasonable prices even during Paris’s busiest weeks.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Excavations at the discovery site, Khok Kruat rock formation, have revealed a bustling Cretaceous ecosystem.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Located in the bustling old city, the Muslim Library, originally built in 1793, houses more than 2,000 books in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish.
—Sarah Souli, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
My perch for 2026 Paris Design Week was the Hotel Panache, a boutique hotel near the bustling Grands Boulevards, which offers convenience, style (think Fornasetti wallpaper and Diptyque bath products), and reasonable prices even during Paris’s busiest weeks.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
This is a wealthy neighborhood, bustling with shoppers.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustle
Noun
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Early Thursday morning, a neighbor came outside to commotion on her street in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
What's all the commotion about?—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
China has been particularly busy, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Starmer all visiting Beijing this month.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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But Greenstein says that keeping your child’s favorite toys handy in one spot around the home where kids feel comfortable and safe can give busy parents some time (even if just a few minutes) to call a friend, make a cup of coffee, take that shower, or even do a quick workout routine.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Nguyen’s main renovations brought the bar from the back of the room to the front, an open window into the buzzing new restaurant.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
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Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Drinking has been found to increase the risk of many cancers, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome disturbances and mitochondrial toxins, Hyman said.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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However, these components proved too vulnerable to the extreme conditions, including intense shock waves and aerodynamic disturbances at low altitudes.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Lonnie Lathan, another resident, echoed that sentiment, saying homeowners are more likely to stay engaged.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The couple met in 1998, became engaged in 2004 and married in 2005.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Matching boots and leggings in black or a similarly dark neutral shade make a beautiful backdrop for a vibrant sweater.—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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The area, once home to a vibrant Black community known as Freedman’s Town, is now a mix of residential and commercial high-rise towers, pulsing nightlife and pricey townhomes.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Paper towels are a household staple and for good reason—they're convenient, disposable, and perfect for tackling spills in a hurry.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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An adjustable toggle on the back can be tightened to lock in warmth and keep snow from getting in, while the front zipper makes these easy to slip on and off in a hurry.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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To succeed under Emery as an attacking wide player, Elliott needed to be a physical monster (like Rogers and McGinn), able to cover lots of ground, drive forward, and be diligent defensively.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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With the big snowstorm that just dumped more than a foot of snow across most of the state, Volkert also said residents should be diligent about clearing snow away from any vents to their home.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustle. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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