burst 1 of 3

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

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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

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3
as in to bulge
to be copiously supplied a young singer/dancer who seems to be bursting with energy and talent

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burst

2 of 3

noun

burst (forth)

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently hives burst forth on the child's arms and face whenever she goes near that plant

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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
Verb
With the start of summer concert season, these earplugs are also a great hack for enjoying your favorite artist while not bursting your eardrums or becoming overstimulated. Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 2 June 2025 Profound shock The worst scenario would be that a wave of debris bursts the nearby Ferden Dam, Valais canton official Ganzer said. Dave Graham, Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2025
Noun
Then hold the can 8 to 10 inches away before spraying in short bursts. Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 2 June 2025 Named for the distinctive black markings on the tips of their dorsal, pelvic, and tail fins, blacktip sharks primarily eat small fish, squid, and crustaceans, using quick bursts of speed to chase down prey. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Noun
  • Beyond the playoffs, NBA Draft, and flurry of early-summer free agency moves, the large majority of the NBA calendar plays out on regional sports networks.
    John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Posey sent a message, and that message was received. Led by Johnson, Ramos and plenty of others, the Giants responded to this morning’s flurry of roster moves by erasing a five-run deficit against the San Diego Padres to beat their divisional rival, 6-5.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Photo taken after an explosion in downtown Tehran amid Israel's two-day campaign of strikes against Iran on June 15.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • The explosion of betting options signals the next stage of growth for U.S. sports betting, shifting from wagers placed before a game to betting during a game.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • During Mount Etna’s recent eruption, however, the flow was contained within the region’s Lion Valley, per the AP.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
  • More recently, Mount Etna has been active in the past few months, with this eruption being the 14th episode since March 2025 after a 19-day lull.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Elsewhere, beware of outbursts and shocking news in the first few days of the week.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 15 June 2025
  • Although aurora can occasionally be seen in deep twilight, the display needs to be strong and the timing of outbursts fortunate.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Bursts of orange flash under a half dozen columns of black smoke billowing just beyond a freeway where traffic continues as usual.
    Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
  • At least four people have been killed and others are still missing following torrential rain and flash flooding Thursday morning in San Antonio.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The recent spurt of generative AI is exacerbating the issue as adversaries are leveraging it to create more authentic phishing emails and deepfakes, tricking employees into exposing confidential information.
    Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The legislation comes amid the latest spurt of runaway production as other states ramp up their film and TV tax incentives programs in an effort to lure production away from California.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • By Thursday evening, the blaze has been fully contained by a crew of six firefighters.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2025
  • The blaze, dubbed the Ranch Fire, was first reported about 1:35 p.m. on June 10 just south of Apple Valley, about 90 miles outside of Los Angeles, according to Apple Valley Fire Department records.
    Brian Day, USA Today, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The storms are packing pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • Wind gusts of up to 55 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are anticipated.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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