1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
finally burst the piñata open with one mighty swing of the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a sudden burst of industriousness whenever the boss appeared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 burst
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Its population was not quite 6,000 in 2010, was around 11,500 in 2020 and now is nearly 22,000, growth that caused schools to burst at the seams.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Instead, Angine de Poitrine are more like Meshuggah or Dawn of Midi, establishing a meter and then creating rhythmic illusions using creative bursts of syncopation.
—Christopher R. Weingarten, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
At points, Gyokeres was playing like a fourth centre-back — his main contributions were coming as an auxiliary defender from Polish set pieces, rather than in attack, with Bergvall frequently the only Swedish player daring to burst forward.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Its population was not quite 6,000 in 2010, was around 11,500 in 2020 and now is nearly 22,000, growth that caused schools to burst at the seams.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Atlanta responded with another burst fueled by Brooklyn turnovers.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Instead, Angine de Poitrine are more like Meshuggah or Dawn of Midi, establishing a meter and then creating rhythmic illusions using creative bursts of syncopation.
—Christopher R. Weingarten, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
-
Israeli media said cluster munitions, which explode mid-air and scatter bomblets across a wide area, were used in the attack.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, once the existence of dark energy was revealed, the activity of theorists in these arenas simply exploded, with many variants and parametrizations becoming popular or fashionable at various times.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
World Cup That dream come true feeling Some dreams were shattered last night, other dreams were made.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Tar Heel pipeline isn’t exactly bulging with the kind of coach the UNC job could attract.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Apple engineers’ eyes bulged in astonishment.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pritchard dissected Milwaukee’s defense at all three levels during that flurry, converting two layups, two 3-pointers and one nine-foot fadeaway.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Blanche’s statement comes amid a flurry of speculation that Epstein worked for the CIA or another intelligence agency.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Days after the explosion, Amin called his mother in Iran again, with better news.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
However, an oxygen-tank explosion 56 hours after launch scotched those plans and put the mission into survival mode.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The last eruption of nationwide gatherings in October drew approximately 7 million people, according to their tally.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Aurora chasers will also be getting excited about the prospect of a possible glancing blow from the speedy CME released during the eruption.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mohammad Hossein Fahmideh, a 13-year-old Basij soldier who destroyed an Iraqi tank by throwing himself under it and detonating a grenade belt, is widely commemorated as a hero by the government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
-
First, the teams identified an issue with the hardware the communicates with a system designed to detonate the rocket to protect public safety if the rocket veers off course.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Littleton police say the driver behind the wheel of a semi-truck that crashed into a QuickTrip on West Belleview Avenue and smashed a car against a wall is facing careless driving charges.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Kayleigh Martin smashed a home run, Chloe Veator drove in two runs in Tewksbury’s 4-3 nonleague win over Woburn.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
