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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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
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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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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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The chamber exploded in applause as Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer announced that Booker had broken the record.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Apr. 2025
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The hot start comes after a memorable freshman season for Messi, who exploded onto the MLS scene with 20 goals in 15 games and led his new squad to the best regular season record in the league.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Vancouver’s uninspiring performance Wednesday night against Seattle should shatter any hopes of a miracle.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
3 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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Since that offensive explosion, however, the Reds' bats have been dormant.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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In the latest explosion of violence, at least 31 people were killed and dozens others were injured Thursday after the Israeli military struck the Dar al-Arqam School in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, according to a statement by the Gaza Civil Defense.—
Lauren Izso,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since the volcanic eruption, most farmers here are just trying to get back on their feet.—
Colette Davidson,
Christian Science Monitor,
28 Mar. 2025
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The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion).—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His wife, Shannon, a Navy cryptologist, was killed in 2019 along with three other Americans when a suicide bomber detonated his vest outside a restaurant in Manbij, in northern Syria.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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Unhappy with the direction of his career, the 31-year-old director intentionally detonated it by going back to his hometown of Baton Rouge to make this $250,000 experimental film, starring himself, with a small crew of close collaborators over the course of nine months.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The truck's windshield was smashed and debris, including shattered glass, was strewn across the street.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Michael Conforto helped double the lead in the third, smashing an RBI double off the wall two at-bats before Tommy Edman lifted a near-grand slam to the warning track in center for a sacrifice fly.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burst. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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