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
Relevance
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
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 spurts
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
For optical lasers, these irregular spurts – or filamentation – result from the index of refraction changing in the laser material.
—Thomas Linker, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Lundell has filled in for Barkov in spurts over the past few years.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Sanders, meanwhile, has been used to spell Williams in spurts, often being utilized as a receiving back for the Cowboys' high-profile offense.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Alexander isn’t yet an every-down factor but has shown spurts of his ability to penetrate.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
As the lieutenant falls to the ground dead, blood spurts from his head.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
The training takes place in 10-hour spurts.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 18 Sep. 2025
Occasional spurts of volcanism would still happen.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
For that reason, wax paper should only be used for short spurts, at low to medium power—not for extended heating.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
For optical lasers, these irregular spurts – or filamentation – result from the index of refraction changing in the laser material.
—Thomas Linker, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Lundell has filled in for Barkov in spurts over the past few years.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Sanders, meanwhile, has been used to spell Williams in spurts, often being utilized as a receiving back for the Cowboys' high-profile offense.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Alexander isn’t yet an every-down factor but has shown spurts of his ability to penetrate.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
As the lieutenant falls to the ground dead, blood spurts from his head.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
The training takes place in 10-hour spurts.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 18 Sep. 2025
Occasional spurts of volcanism would still happen.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurts
Noun
-
But that does not stop him from making an impact in smaller bursts.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some of the officials rushed to regroup with one another, and spoke to Russian officers who would shuttle them on jets to Moscow in the coming hours and days, according to three former officials.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Rare earths are also crucial for defense technology, including F-35 fighter jets, Tomahawk missiles, and radar systems.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The large brick building that once housed Dubuque Star Brewing, opened by the Rhomberg family in 1899, has endured 40-plus years since the brewery’s closure and still carries the company’s banner, now housing local businesses, a beer museum and a restaurant that pours two original recipes.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In seconds, out pours the perfect cup of joe.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
During the closing Neilah service after night has fallen, the practice concludes with the cries of the Shema prayer before the congregation erupts into song and dance.—
Krys'tal Griffin,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
When the volcano erupts, Mario and Dani have to navigate its danger and their sentiments for each other.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Light flurries may arrive unexpectedly during the week of Thanksgiving, but as of right now, things look pretty calm.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Ali was scoring plenty with jabs and flurries, but his attempts to land big punches mostly fell flat.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His production, measured by EPA per start on pass plays and QB rushes, ranks second among 33 qualifying quarterbacks (minimum three starts) this season, per TruMedia.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
While After the Hunt rushes through how Maggie and Alma’s differences were resolved, Maggie lands a polemic Rolling Stone op-ed that further puts Alma’s tenure in jeopardy.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the battery overheats, the system acts like a launcher; sensors trigger a mechanism that ejects it from the vehicle.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
-
As a supernova explosion ejects the outer layers of these stars, their stellar cores collapse.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As Sonia, the scene-stealing Shana Wride dominates almost every scene, first with comic outbursts and later with heartbreaking vulnerability.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Droplet outbursts from onion cutting.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurts. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share