blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbə-stər 

often attributive

1

: a very large high-explosive bomb

2

: one that is notably expensive, effective, successful, large, or extravagant

3

: one who engages in blockbusting

Synonyms

• hit
• megahit
• smash
• success
• supernova
• winner

Examples of blockbuster in a Sentence

a 900-page blockbuster of a novel

the movie is expected to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the blockbuster video game franchise of the same name developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation gaming consoles, The Last of Us had a stellar first season on HBO and Max in 2023 with the episodes averaging nearly 32 million viewers. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Jon Conahan of Athlon Sports recently predicted the Tigers would land a blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Dalton Rushing because Rushing doesn't have a clear path to playing time in Los Angeles. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Simu Liu shared tales from the Mojo Dojo Casa House during a recent appearance on Jennifer Hudson's eponymous talk show, revealing that all of the Kens waxed their legs in solidarity for the 2023 blockbuster — all with the exception of one. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Well, even those big blockbuster IP franchise films aren’t leading to actors making bank — least not the lead stars. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blockbuster

• adjuster
• baluster
• combustor
• lackluster
• bluster
• buster
• cluster
• duster
• juster
• luster
• lustre
• muster

Kids Definition

blockbuster

noun

block·​bust·​er ˈbläk-ˌbəs-tər 

: one that is very large, successful, or violent

a blockbuster of a movie