1
as in bursts
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a spurt of economic growth for the first quarter of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pours
to flow out in great quantities or with force
water spurted from the garden hose just as I was checking the nozzle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in erupts
to throw out or off (something from within) often violently
the pipe suddenly cracked and began spurting water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurts
ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Understand Growth Spurts and Developmental Timing Recognize that children grow in spurts, especially during puberty.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 10 Feb. 2026
Payments came in fits and spurts, according to districts surveyed by library directors in Hillside and Mount Prospect.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The Knicks used Alvarado in a variety of ways, most notably in spurts as a primary defender on Boston’s two-pronged scoring attack of All-Star starter Jaylen Brown and sixth man Payton Pritchard.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
In short spurts, this usually isn't a problem.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Activity rose during spurts of instability, including the recent anti-government protests — until authorities blocked internet access.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In spurts, when the Bulls had the health to deploy double-big lineups, Buzelis demonstrated encouraging flashes in that role.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn't reduce their deficit below 12 points.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
The first half, which ended in a 34-34 tie was full of spurts.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Understand Growth Spurts and Developmental Timing Recognize that children grow in spurts, especially during puberty.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 10 Feb. 2026
Payments came in fits and spurts, according to districts surveyed by library directors in Hillside and Mount Prospect.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The Knicks used Alvarado in a variety of ways, most notably in spurts as a primary defender on Boston’s two-pronged scoring attack of All-Star starter Jaylen Brown and sixth man Payton Pritchard.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
In short spurts, this usually isn't a problem.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Activity rose during spurts of instability, including the recent anti-government protests — until authorities blocked internet access.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In spurts, when the Bulls had the health to deploy double-big lineups, Buzelis demonstrated encouraging flashes in that role.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn't reduce their deficit below 12 points.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurts
Noun
-
The storms that pummeled Southern California this week brought dramatic wind gusts, bursts of rain and lightning that set trees on fire, not to mention heavy snow.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Curlers need an intense training regimen, dedicated to sustaining them through short bursts of cardiovascular exercise (sweeping) and keeping their legs flexible and strong to support the deep lunge position adopted when hurling the stone.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The new red, dark blue and white paint job is being required for Air Force One jets as well as others in the executive fleet, including the new 747-8i from Qatar and C-32 aircraft, an Air Force spokesperson said.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
India already operates two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets and last year signed a deal to purchase 26 marine variants of the stealth fighter for the navy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Emirates offers luxury wines, Porter pours free Canadian beer and wine, and Fiji Airways serves creative cocktails featuring spirits distilled on those South Pacific islands.—
Karla Walsh,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The sunlight from the window pours onto her shoulders.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For some, the most danger erupts in their own neighborhoods.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
There are niggling, nagging, familiar concerns, like not taking chances, like being hit on the counter, but our section erupts when Willock scores and then erupts again when his goal is ruled out.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some lingering light flurries will taper off through the day, but another system is expected to move through in the evening.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Snow flurries are blowing at an angle, the sky is a leaden grey, and visibility is poor.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What followed were online videos of an officer tackling a student, and many rushes to judgement, including from those criticizing cops for excessive force and demanding accountability.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
At one point in the video footage, Curtis can be heard urgently coordinating with officers as water rushes into the car.—
GMA Team,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, a salty liquid containing calcium chloride (a salt often used to de-ice roads) is pumped through the regenerator, which carries the heat away and ejects it to the surroundings on exit.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Results published in Nature show that cells use bioelectricity to coordinate a complex collective behavior called extrusion, a vital process that ejects sick or struggling individual cells from tissue to maintain health and keep growth in check.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Last year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched an air travel civility campaign, noting that the FAA had seen a 400% increase of in-flight outbursts since 2019 and 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With 2026 aligning with the roughly 80-year rhythm of past outbursts, however, astronomers have shifted some attention to late June.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurts. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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