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
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 bustling
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The resident said most stores in the normally bustling area of Tajrish were closed, though bakeries and supermarkets remained open.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Because early photography required long exposure times—in this case, the camera was trained on the street for about seven minutes— the bustling cityscape appears, at first glance, to be devoid of people.
—Alexey Yurenev, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
For baby boomers who love the idea of Florida but want the classic coastal experience, there’s Tampa, a bustling city with access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The resident said most stores in the normally bustling area of Tajrish were closed, though bakeries and supermarkets remained open.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
As the Indian Land panhandle continues to fill in, transitioning once rural farmland into a bustling community, more new homes than ever are being approved in the middle and southern parts of the county.
—John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Because early photography required long exposure times—in this case, the camera was trained on the street for about seven minutes— the bustling cityscape appears, at first glance, to be devoid of people.
—Alexey Yurenev, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
-
With busy schedules, sitting down to eat a meal as a family can be tricky and cause feelings of guilt.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Each carried one passenger in the back seat, all of them busy on their phones.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Opt for the spring or fall to enjoy the best of the city's buzzing outdoor markets and piazzas.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Tamarindo, a great stretch of beach for surfing, is equally famous for its nightlife, with buzzing spots like Chiquita's Tamarindo.—
Natalie Hammond,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the dotcom era, the economists explained, the economy reflected the latter scenario, where gains failed to show, bursting the bubble.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lendeborg today feels like an overnight sensation, bursting on the scene in his maize-and-blue out of nowhere.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
In a new dark comedy (now in theaters) from Dream Scenario director Kristoffer Borgli, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play Charlie and Emma, an engaged couple whose wedding plans are thrown into disarray when the latter makes a disturbing confession.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Performance Data Helps Teams Focus on What Works Content strategy can become more effective when teams identify which pages attract attention, which channels drive visits, and which topics keep users engaged and loyal.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The vibrant Sun in your 5th House of Artistry squares merry Jupiter in your 8th House of Trust, raising questions about fairness in money and sharing.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
From subtle variations to vibrant color combinations, there's a chrome pink nail design for every aesthetic.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mason evokes the vibrant street scene vividly, with archive footage of the area’s teeming bars and even a nod to the Donut Time store immortalized in Sean Baker’s transgender High Noon story Tangerine.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The mesmerizing power of the booming sound in a southern Moroccan desert prompts the teeming bodies to writhe and dance in an ecstatic state.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The memorial includes two metal American flag signs on the Cloverdale Road overpass that drivers can see while traveling the Interstate, one in each direction.—
Rose Evans
April 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Want to learn something new while traveling?—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
