1
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shatters
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 flurries
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 explosions
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in eruptions
the act or an instance of exploding
one burst after another could be heard in the distance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bursts
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The movie is a tour de force In IMAX, the format’s large screen and huge sound a perfect partner for the purple one’s charisma, which positively bursts off the screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Third Thursdays bring the festive Art Walk, when the district bursts with local art, live music, and technicolor vibes.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025
The same striped sole is used for the second variant, which bursts forth with more color via red suede and blue overlays.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
RDREs use a detonation wave that races around a circular channel, which produces short, high-pressure bursts that drive up thrust and efficiency.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Zone 3 pushes into moderate effort, where conversation becomes harder, and Zones 4 and 5 bring you into very hard and maximum intensity, where talking is nearly impossible and effort can only be sustained in short bursts.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The studio worked with 46 bespoke international influencers to create content, and amplified those spots globally in bursts.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
Volume isn’t as much of a consideration for starting pitchers in the playoffs, when relievers can be maximized in shorter bursts.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Two short bursts of white light shot from the horizon.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Set in the country's highlands, La Ruta de Las Flores is a scenic drive that connects several villages, and bursts to life when the coffee fields lining it come into full bloom.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
One emerging approach gaining traction is called microlearning, a strategy that delivers academic content in short bursts rather than lengthy lessons.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
As Alien fans know, the facehugger will impregnate its host with a Xenomorph embryo, which eventually bursts from the host's chest.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The movie is a tour de force In IMAX, the format’s large screen and huge sound a perfect partner for the purple one’s charisma, which positively bursts off the screen.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Third Thursdays bring the festive Art Walk, when the district bursts with local art, live music, and technicolor vibes.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025
The same striped sole is used for the second variant, which bursts forth with more color via red suede and blue overlays.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Available in Piña + Plumeria and Strawberry + Shea, these bold combos infuse your laundry with irresistible bursts of scent that last from wash to wear.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
RDREs use a detonation wave that races around a circular channel, which produces short, high-pressure bursts that drive up thrust and efficiency.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Zone 3 pushes into moderate effort, where conversation becomes harder, and Zones 4 and 5 bring you into very hard and maximum intensity, where talking is nearly impossible and effort can only be sustained in short bursts.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The studio worked with 46 bespoke international influencers to create content, and amplified those spots globally in bursts.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
Volume isn’t as much of a consideration for starting pitchers in the playoffs, when relievers can be maximized in shorter bursts.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Two short bursts of white light shot from the horizon.
—Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Set in the country's highlands, La Ruta de Las Flores is a scenic drive that connects several villages, and bursts to life when the coffee fields lining it come into full bloom.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
One emerging approach gaining traction is called microlearning, a strategy that delivers academic content in short bursts rather than lengthy lessons.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursts
Verb
-
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On football weekends, the whole town buzzes with maroon pride, fans, and festive energy.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Nyhavn’s vibrant waterfront dazzles with its iconic townhouses, while Vesterbro’s gritty-chic Meatpacking District buzzes with galleries and nightlife.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Thin air and unpredictable wind flurries near Everest’s highest elevations prevent the drones from operating at some of the final camps leading to the summit.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Video footage from the area showed multiple large explosions in Gaza City on Tuesday as the IDF pressed its offensive.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from heavy tanks and artillery firing salvos leading to big explosions and heavy smoke on the training area, infantry units also charged forward on motorcycles, quad bikes or on foot under the cover of drones.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
-
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursts. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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