1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity
a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hurrying
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 bustling
Michael Schneider, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The bustling evening market, where locals gather for tacos, now empties out early.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
By this past December, recovery seemed further along, with packed restaurants, bustling hotels and crowded beaches.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
In this new ‘golden’ era of life, the longtime friends are thriving in and around Palm Beach with fabulous second homes and a bustling social scene.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The bustling evening market, where locals gather for tacos, now empties out early.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile October and November are great for visiting popular towns like Savannah or Charleston, which are a little quieter, with fewer tour groups than during bustling in the summertime and holiday seasons.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
By this past December, recovery seemed further along, with packed restaurants, bustling hotels and crowded beaches.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
-
This left a critical unit short-staffed during one of the highest profile searches in PCSD history and during the busiest time of year for Search and Rescue.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
February is typically a busy month there for winter sports including skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Just off the gondola entrance sits Club Moritzino, one of the Dolomites’ most enduring mountain huts and a buzzing lunch and apres-ski destination.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
From Montana to Colorado, here's where to find great powder, epic skiing, and buzzing après scenes out West.—
Caroline Tell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After flooding and damage from bursting pipes worsened over the past week and a half at the troubled Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill, town officials officially condemned 200 apartments in the massive complex Thursday afternoon.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Adding White to a young crop bursting in talent thanks to the likes of Ball, Miller and Knueppel only bolsters the Hornets’ chances to end the playoff drought.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But one weekend in November, people who would typically be hurrying by, staring down at their phones, stopped.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Our divisions are constantly nudged, magnified, monetized, and weaponized by systems that profit from keeping us emotionally engaged and perpetually agitated.—
Joe Palaggi,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Reality Steve also reported that Miguel has since gotten engaged to another woman not from Love Is Blind Season 10.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This chic, streamlined Movado watch features a vibrant green dial, complemented by the brand’s minimalist logo.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Many are coated in a vibrant pops of red or blue, while maintaining a lightweight, long-lasting construction.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Fire Department said that resources after the incident were delayed due to the size of the teeming crowd near the Wilshire Federal Building.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Her custom look in yellow crepe georgette felt fresh and modern and rightly stood out in a night teeming in black gowns and tuxedo interpretations.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For example, Grab uses AI to automate menu translations in its food delivery app, allowing customers to easily access restaurant menus, even when traveling abroad.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Terryville resident Chalaine Kilduff and her 2-year-old son Beckham were traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last December when, like many 2-year-olds, Beckham started to cry during a long travel day.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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