1
as in bursts
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a spurt of economic growth for the first quarter of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pours
to flow out in great quantities or with force
water spurted from the garden hose just as I was checking the nozzle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in erupts
to throw out or off (something from within) often violently
the pipe suddenly cracked and began spurting water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurts
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The Knicks used Alvarado in a variety of ways, most notably in spurts as a primary defender on Boston’s two-pronged scoring attack of All-Star starter Jaylen Brown and sixth man Payton Pritchard.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
In short spurts, this usually isn't a problem.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Activity rose during spurts of instability, including the recent anti-government protests — until authorities blocked internet access.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In spurts, when the Bulls had the health to deploy double-big lineups, Buzelis demonstrated encouraging flashes in that role.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn't reduce their deficit below 12 points.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The outcome was all but sealed at halftime, thanks to a 27-4 run by the Broncos — there were separate 18-0 and 9-0 spurts — to close out the first half with a 38-18 lead over Wyoming, which has lost four straight in January.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
That’s after spurts of more than 4% in 2023 and 2024.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
Payments came in fits and spurts, according to districts surveyed by library directors in Hillside and Mount Prospect.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The Knicks used Alvarado in a variety of ways, most notably in spurts as a primary defender on Boston’s two-pronged scoring attack of All-Star starter Jaylen Brown and sixth man Payton Pritchard.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
In short spurts, this usually isn't a problem.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Activity rose during spurts of instability, including the recent anti-government protests — until authorities blocked internet access.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
In spurts, when the Bulls had the health to deploy double-big lineups, Buzelis demonstrated encouraging flashes in that role.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn't reduce their deficit below 12 points.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The outcome was all but sealed at halftime, thanks to a 27-4 run by the Broncos — there were separate 18-0 and 9-0 spurts — to close out the first half with a 38-18 lead over Wyoming, which has lost four straight in January.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Jan. 2026
That’s after spurts of more than 4% in 2023 and 2024.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurts
Noun
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Also, some bursts showed strong circular polarization, a signal characteristic of magnetic processes.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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Hulu has steadily built a library of bold, thought-provoking miniseries that have managed to entertain audiences in short bursts.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The worst day of Probationary Firefighter Jerrell Nedd’s young life was on 9/11 when terrorists flew passenger jets into the World Trade Center, killing his father, a chef at Windows on the World restaurant atop the North Tower, and more than 2,700 others.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Boeing announced the delivery of 46 jets in January, one more than a year ago.—
Jeff Marks,Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Atmospheric mist pours across every scene.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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The intimate bar tucked in its own nook pours classic cocktails inspired by mountain herbs and local spirits.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parents should show their child another way to behave and show their emotions in a healthy manner when conflict erupts.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
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In Empire City, when a hostage crisis erupts inside New York’s landmark Clybourn Building, former Navy SEAL turned firefighter Rhett (Butler), his squad, and his NYPD wife Dani (Atwell) must fight and navigate their way through the building to rescue the captives.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Worst case scenario is that Baltimore metro receives a few flurries with up to a trace of snow.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Snow flurries in Jacksonville Why is Groundhog Day celebrated?—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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New England Patriots' safety Craig Woodson rushes Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III on Sunday.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
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Walker ranks top 10 in both yards per carry and rushes of 10-plus yards in the red zone, according to NGS.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, a salty liquid containing calcium chloride (a salt often used to de-ice roads) is pumped through the regenerator, which carries the heat away and ejects it to the surroundings on exit.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Feb. 2026
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Results published in Nature show that cells use bioelectricity to coordinate a complex collective behavior called extrusion, a vital process that ejects sick or struggling individual cells from tissue to maintain health and keep growth in check.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For his courtroom outbursts, Davis found Thompson in contempt of court and added a little more than four and a half years to his sentence.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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An audience member was removed at one point for outbursts during remarks by commissioner Carrie Prejean, who rejected notions that anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurts. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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