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

But a three-hour length and an R rating couldn’t stop the movie from becoming a blockbuster with a whopping $975 million at the worldwide box office. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

The surge hasn’t come from one blockbuster storm, but rather from a steady parade of systems tracking into the region. —Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

And yet, if there is a blockbuster personnel move to be made, there might be another Whiteside-Ware parallel. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

Globe-spanning benefit concerts and blockbuster charity singles boomed in the ’80s, and heartland-rock artists were fixtures at these affairs. —Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 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