1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
finally burst the piñata open with one mighty swing of the bat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a sudden burst of industriousness whenever the boss appeared
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a burst of anger that startled the other members on the panel
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3
as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding
one burst after another could be heard in the distance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burst
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
If Emerson bursts onto the scene to begin the season, there's a chance the Mariners are shopping Crawford at the deadline in order to cut spending and clear a spot for their top prospect.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
The second stage gives the last burst of power that drives the rocket’s cargo — whether a satellite or an astronaut capsule — to the speeds required to enter orbit around Earth.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Verb
This trade would only make sense for the Phillies if top prospect Andrew Painter bursts onto the scene to begin the year.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
If Emerson bursts onto the scene to begin the season, there's a chance the Mariners are shopping Crawford at the deadline in order to cut spending and clear a spot for their top prospect.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
There are neither crude jokes nor wise-ass anecdotes, only quick, indecipherable bursts of jargon.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
The second stage gives the last burst of power that drives the rocket’s cargo — whether a satellite or an astronaut capsule — to the speeds required to enter orbit around Earth.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burst
Verb
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In the decades following the Clifford Ball, the popularity of music festivals exploded, a trend that Phish inadvertently helped engineer.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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One thing is clear: Nationwide injunctions against Trump’s policies by federal district court judges have exploded during his time in the White House, while those against the policies of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden also increased, but to a much lesser extent.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Musk are truly onions made of glass: shiny orbs of one insubstantial layer over another, with nothing in the center, liable to be shattered under the slightest pressure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And amid the challenges, there’s a growing push for transparency in the beauty industry, especially as entrepreneurs are speaking out more about the realities of running a business, shattering the illusion of effortless success.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Symptoms include swelling of the eyelid and skin around the eye, bulging eyes, discoloration or redness, painful or difficult eye movement, and vision troubles.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Samsung has shown off a stretchable display that’s capable of physically bulging out of a flat surface.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Wall Street analysts have issued a flurry of downgrades for the S&P 500, and billionaire business leaders are pushing back against Trump.—
Andrew Ross Sorkin,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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This time last year, the Mets had already made a flurry of pitching transactions to plug the bullpen leaks and would continue to do so through April.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From Ediacaran Precursors To The Cambrian Explosion The discovery and classification of Dickinsonia have had profound implications for our understanding of the Cambrian explosion.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Christmas now begins the day after Halloween (poor Thanksgiving), and the commencement of pastels, bunnies, and Easter eggs seemed to arrive, if not in tandem, then shortly after the explosion of Valentine’s treats hit store shelves.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The most recent eruption of this volcano was in 2005.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
3 Apr. 2025
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Mars contains volcanic plains formed by past eruptions and inactive shield volcanoes that are much more massive than Earth’s volcanoes; Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the entire Solar System, stands at about 2.5 times the height of Mt. Everest.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump has declared an all-out war on globalism, detonating every one of America's trading relationships — allies and adversaries alike — by imposing the largest tariffs in nearly a century.—
Axios,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
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Then, the supernova explosion — one with more power than a thousand trillion trillion nuclear bombs — will detonate.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Kamikaze sank their first ship on Oct. 25, 1944, when a navy Zero pilot smashed into the USS St. Lo in the Philippine Sea while carrying a pair of 550-pound bombs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Raphinha gets the ball in space and smashes home from the edge of the box.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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