as in filled
containing or seeming to contain the greatest quantity or number possible
the store was bursting with bargain hunters on the day of the big sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exploding
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the turnover's crust burst when the filling expanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shattering
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bursting
Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
An intellectually dense film bursting with ideas, some of them contradictory, some troubling, all of them provocative.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Québec, Canada Québec is a province just bursting with culinary riches, outdoor adventure, fascinating culture, unique traditions and stunning landscapes.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Or Shamar Joseph bursting through Australia in Brisbane.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
How to keep pipes from bursting When temperatures drop to freezing conditions, pipes have the potential to burst due to the expansion of water.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Pipes are prone to bursting during cold spells.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
The stir-craziness of isolation, collector appetite bottled up to bursting, and a global customer base newly comfortable with spending serious cash over the internet meant that the entire wine world was watching—and desperate to bid.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024
Wrap them in tubular insulation to keep pipes from bursting.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
At one point Harry Maguire tried to inject urgency, bursting forward with the ball and urging Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot to run ahead.
—Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
An intellectually dense film bursting with ideas, some of them contradictory, some troubling, all of them provocative.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Québec, Canada Québec is a province just bursting with culinary riches, outdoor adventure, fascinating culture, unique traditions and stunning landscapes.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Or Shamar Joseph bursting through Australia in Brisbane.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
How to keep pipes from bursting When temperatures drop to freezing conditions, pipes have the potential to burst due to the expansion of water.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
Pipes are prone to bursting during cold spells.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
The stir-craziness of isolation, collector appetite bottled up to bursting, and a global customer base newly comfortable with spending serious cash over the internet meant that the entire wine world was watching—and desperate to bid.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024
Wrap them in tubular insulation to keep pipes from bursting.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursting
Noun
-
Featuring hundreds of diagrams from the past millennium, ranging from financial charts to maps of volcanic eruptions, the exhibition provides the kind of survey that brings definition to an entire category of visual communication.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Earth processes – such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – also trigger cascading hazards, often with long-lasting effects.—
Brian J. Yanites,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Hezbollah's capabilities were badly damaged in the fighting - not least by a covert attack on Hezbollah operatives with exploding pagers, which resulted in over 30 deaths and thousands of injuries, including some civilians.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Exactly because production is exploding globally, so are efforts by a myriad of entities to facilitate all this exchange.—
John Tamny,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Street performers and buzzing crowds returned to Bourbon Street on Thursday after police reopened it hours before the Sugar Bowl, which was delayed a day and was expected to draw 70,000 fans to the nearby Superdome.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
4 Jan. 2025
-
From patient inquiries to administrative notifications, your inbox is probably constantly buzzing.—
Ajay Prasad,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In summer 2023, Levitt booked another trip to Cuba and, once again, only packed bikinis.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
13 July 2025
-
The packed living rooms and TikTok-worthy, standing-room-only bar scenes where spectators gather to watch the show live look like sporting events.—
Cynthia Salinas Cappellano,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The Yankees’ double-digit explosion on a rainy night provided plenty of breathing room for a bullpen that has been taxed and decimated by injuries.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
-
The Esparto Fire Protection District responded to the scene, but could not engage the explosions coming from within the warehouse, and so set about stopping the fire raging across the valley floor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Vin Folk In Hermosa Beach, Vin Folk offers a warm, welcoming vibe and a menu full of flavorful, shareable dishes with global flair, Michelin said.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 July 2025
-
The breezy capri length hits just right for warm days, offering an airy feel without going full short.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 July 2025
-
This act of formality did not prevent an easy atmosphere from developing in our classrooms; there were frequent bursts of laughter.—
Brooke Allen,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Get ready to see more video content popping up in search results.—
William Arruda,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
South Florida healthcare expands into neighborhoods While Doral has seen an explosion of healthcare growth, medical centers, outpatient, urgent care and standalone emergency rooms are also popping up across South Florida as hospitals compete for patients.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bursting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursting. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share