bursting 1 of 3

Definition of burstingnext

bursting

2 of 3

noun

as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding narrowly escaped the bursting of the car's gas tank

Synonyms & Similar Words

bursting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of burst
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

3
as in buzzing
to be copiously supplied a young singer/dancer who seems to be bursting with energy and talent

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
Noun
Another possibility is a version of the 2008 crash, in which the bursting bubble takes down the global economy. Ganesh Sitaraman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026 The end of Sora is most certainly not the first domino or the bursting of the AI bubble. Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 Sometimes starting out feeling more like winter with snow and cold, and other year's bursting into bloom. Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 21 Mar. 2026 With an elegant silhouette bursting with intricate featherwork, the gown also seemed to reference the iridescent, dark plumage of the label’s Fall-Winter 2012 show. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026 This 2024 debut novel by Kaveh Akbar, the poetry editor at The Nation, is an unflinching tour-de-force bursting with wit and insight into the complications of diaspora, the nature of identity in a post-War on Terror world and the inter-generational impact of the 1979 Revolution on Iranians. Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026 This includes both 2000 and 2007, when bubbles bursting coincided with painful recessions. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026 This helps water flow as the ice melts and relieves pressure, reducing the risk of the pipe bursting. Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026 While plumbers said winter is known for pipes bursting, once the weather starts thawing out in the spring, their call volume picks up. Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Following a brutal winter season, Martha's Bedford farm is now bursting with colorful blooms. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026 As April comes to a close, Amazon’s outlet is bursting with even more exciting deals than usual. Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 What started as a stall at the Brooklyn Flea is now a beloved Fort Worth brick-and-mortar shop, bursting with greenery and plenty of character. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026 Because along with Vosk, there is a lot of vitality in Beaches, most especially bursting from the four young performers who play childhood and teen versions of Bertie and Cee Cee. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 His biggest play came early in the workout, when Kinnard took a handoff and disappeared momentarily amid the crush of players at the line of scrimmage before bursting through the middle and running for a 64-yard touchdown. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 This strawberry-lemonade gelatin is bursting with berry flavor. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 Doctors, only with bombs bursting in air, twin eagles threatening, soldiers flying, a robed Trump healing, handfuls of white light and the miracle of thick hair no longer in need of a combover. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 This vibrant city is a foodie’s sanctuary, a shopper’s delight, and a cultural hub bursting with museums, galleries and cafes. Kalpana Fitzpatrick, TheWeek, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bursting
Adjective
  • The new system allows citations to be transmitted electronically and enter the court records system pre-filled.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • This comforter is pre-filled and designed to be two inches wider than standard sizes for an extra-plush feel and complete bed coverage.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Both Monahon and Carroll are writing about transformation of the paradigm-exploding kind.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • That is, until the union starts not-so-quietly exploding during a vicious screaming match at their home following a fundraising event.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In a race for the ages, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday, shattering the previous men’s world record by an astonishing 65 seconds.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Kenyan runner won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Residents could flip on the TV to see who was downstairs before buzzing them in.
    New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.
    Ryan Brennan April 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His campaign saw new momentum that included a packed Los Angeles town hall and key endorsements like Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Salinas Democrat.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Strange New Worlds castmembers Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding and Paul Wesley announced the return date and debuted the new season’s teaser trailer in front of a packed auditorium at the annual event in Mexico City.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • After a faulty cooling system was left to disrepair, rising temperatures resulted in an explosion with the equivalent force of 70-100 tons of TNT.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • To locals, Soviet leaders seemed to be downplaying the severity of the explosion.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Two Massachusetts men have pleaded guilty to breaking into Harvard Medical School and detonating fireworks last Halloween night, a crime that caught the eye of FBI Director Kash Patel.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • And some advanced mines have counters that will let a certain number of ships pass before detonating.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bursting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bursting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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