as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to rush
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
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 bustle
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
Imagine a time when things were quiet, slow and the hustle and bustle of city living was nonexistent.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Transform a slumbering downtown into a bustling business sector.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Noun
The sheer scale, bustle and energy reflected the depth of the industry, even as the ominous rumblings of global trade continued in the background.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
Imagine a time when things were quiet, slow and the hustle and bustle of city living was nonexistent.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Six hours from now your dining room table will be bustling with friends waiting on your French onion soup for a dinner party.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Transform a slumbering downtown into a bustling business sector.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustle
Noun
-
Team parents were staying at our hotel where there was a commotion in the lobby.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Crystal Police Department said between 75 and 150 children caused the commotion at Becker Park earlier this week.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After heavy rain, swollen streams can burst their banks, carrying mud and boulders down the mountainsides.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Fernandez-Pardo burst down the left flank then slipped the ball between two defenders and found the unmarked Haraldsson at the far post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital by Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics, the man was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
If someone pushes you to rush, keep your tone measured and propose a reasonable deadline that protects quality and keeps expectations aligned.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Garcia said detectives have learned that Serrano was not connected to the initial domestic disturbance call that brought officers to the neighborhood.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Set the scene This is the city's most enviable address, where Orchard Road's buzzing energy meets the serenity of the Singapore Botanical Gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Inside the Trivium Corporate Center manufacturing site in Catawba County, the air buzzed with the hum and loud drill sounds of production.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An agent pointed to the other end of the terminal, and the woman hurried off.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But hurry, the retailer deemed it a popular pick, so grab it before it's gone.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Add sugar and stir until sugar has completely dissolved.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Punch took the world by storm after images of him dragging the orange plushy behind him circulated on social media, causing such a stir that the zoo has since made special rules to accommodate the influx of visitors.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sewing machines hummed, scissors snipped, patterns stretched across the tables.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When the paint has dried and the kitchen is humming, expansion could feel like a blessing for the Rileys.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustle. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
