as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of bustle
Anthony Tordillos,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Even the hustle and bustle of the airport is a signal to your body that a great trip is ahead.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
27 June 2026
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the sprawling complex just north of Kingston housed as many as 77 stores and businesses, including Kmart, JCPenney, Sears, and a bustling food court.
—
Lisa Wong MacAbasco,
Vogue,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Noun
More downtown dwellers will also mean more daytime customers for our small businesses, more eyes on the street to support public safety and more people to sustain the bustle of First Fridays throughout the rest of the month.
—
Anthony Tordillos,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Even the hustle and bustle of the airport is a signal to your body that a great trip is ahead.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Verb
Each has its own distinct character—from postcard-perfect villages and bustling harbors to windswept dunes, freshwater ponds, and some of New England’s most spectacular beaches.
—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
27 June 2026
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the sprawling complex just north of Kingston housed as many as 77 stores and businesses, including Kmart, JCPenney, Sears, and a bustling food court.
—
Lisa Wong MacAbasco,
Vogue,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustle
Noun
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With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
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Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
Verb
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However, the extravagant nature of such spending appears to be a bubble that has now burst, especially given the obvious failure to build a domestic talent pool.
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When fire crews arrived on scene, the fire had consumed multiple rooms and had burst through the roof of one of the three hotel buildings.
Verb
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Do not rush to defend yourself if someone misunderstands your tone.
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Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush.
Noun
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Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
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However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
Verb
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Mosquitos buzz in, emerging from eggs laid in stagnant water across the region.
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London draws more than 30 million visitors annually, and along with its buzzing energy and endless opportunities comes one of the world’s most exciting food scenes.
Verb
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Locals and tourists hurried around the pavilions showcasing the best of each state and territory.
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But hurry, — the popular shade is selling out fast.
Noun
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Swift’s arrival at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium caused quite a stir there and around the country.
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There’s even Thai food ranging from curry dishes to basil stir fries.
Verb
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On the exhibition floor at the annual international BIO conference in San Diego, biotech and startup executives hummed around pavilions representing member countries and states, pausing to watch World Cup games on a giant screen at a South Korean contract drug manufacturer’s booth.
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Fans latched on too, humming the tune, playing the video — of players and supporters soaking up the scene — on repeat ever since.
Cite this Entry
“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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