bursting 1 of 3

bursting

2 of 3

noun

as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding narrowly escaped the bursting of the car's gas tank

Synonyms & Similar Words

bursting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of burst
1
as in exploding
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in shattering
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

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

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 bursting
Noun
Warmed by the fires of partisanship or consumed by the bursting of flames? Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025 Their bursting and fierce love for each other and for my brother and me? Amanda Uhle august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 And while a bubble implies an eventual bursting, and all the damage that results, the underlying phenomenon causing a bubble often has real value. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Finish the look with a fall wreath bursting with harvest blooms. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 This bright, simple, and bursting-with-flavor sweet cherry tomato and fresh shrimp recipe is just that. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025 Of course, bursting through the clouds is our Elphaba, who's already made her decision and is just waiting for somebody to catch up. Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025 International aid group Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) says one of its vessels, the Family Boat, was hit by a drone at Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said port—the second alleged strike in two days—and released video on social media showing flames bursting from the deck. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 An affectionate little cat with a heart bursting with love for humans is looking for a home at a Texas shelter. Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025 The novel sparkles with Sosa’s signature wit and sense of humor; the banter between Javi and Mari is deliciously funny, bursting with laugh-out-loud moments on seemingly every other page. EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Eala says her day-to-day hasn’t changed much since bursting onto the scene in Miami, aside from more people recognizing her. Matias Grez, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursting
Adjective
  • Streamline applications with pre-filled forms, especially to support internal mobility where workloads are high or digital access is limited.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As part of the new study, Knutsen and her team programmed Perseverance's cameras to watch the sky after solar eruptions known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) blasted in the direction of Mars.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Kamchatka sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity frequently triggers earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
    Amanda Castro John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The unknown object collides with another moving object arriving from the opposite direction, exploding in a bright flash of light.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Elsewhere online, wellness culture was exploding.
    Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The group also recently stepped out together at a University of Cincinnati football game, which just so happened to be Swift and Kelce’s first public outing since announcing their plans to get married with an internet-shattering post on Instagram in August.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Pamela Warner, mother and manager of the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, reflected on the life-shattering moment her son had untimely passed away.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Within minutes, the inbox starts buzzing, and they get pulled into a flood of urgent emails.
    Wilson Luna, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • His new social media activity has the wrestling world buzzing about a potential return to the company.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In six months, the site has grown from 600 people fleeing gang attacks in nearby Delmas 30 to 5,000 people from all over the capital, sheltering in packed government offices and makeshift shacks.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
  • His energy at his Century club gig was infectious resulting in a frenzied, packed dance floor.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sure, other fates are possible, like direct collapse to a black hole or explosions through the pair-instability mechanism, but a core-collapse supernova (also known as a type II supernova) represents the fate of the majority of the most massive stars ever to be born.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Such an explosion would happen to the smallest possible black holes, at most, once every 100,000 years, according to previous theories.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bursting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursting. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bursting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!