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 of blockbuster

• success
• hit

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

The news arrives after a busy awards season for the publication, which in addition to covering every angle of Hollywood’s biggest night published a blockbuster Oscars issue and sponsored an Art of Oscar exhibition at the Megan Mulrooney Gallery in West Hollywood. —Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026

And there were a number of ramifications from these very unusual proceedings, from what should have been week two of a blockbuster, rather historic antitrust trial. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

Still, there is a significant leap between superfandom and co-writing a tentpole blockbuster for Warner Bros. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Traded to the Mets in a January blockbuster, the Mets are hoping this won’t be his only Opening Day start at Citi Field. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

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