1
as in busy
involved in often constant activity
a bustling greeter was there to welcome guests to the grand opening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
a bustling shopping center during the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party
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 bustling
ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
On July 5, 1978, a group of young disabled people blocked two city buses at a bustling downtown Denver intersection to demand that wheelchair lifts be installed on new buses.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
City officials have long hoped that the addition of a baseball stadium would connect the tourism-heavy Union Station and Crown Center district with the bustling Crossroads district, a key tie between two popular but distinct destinations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Adjective
The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
On July 5, 1978, a group of young disabled people blocked two city buses at a bustling downtown Denver intersection to demand that wheelchair lifts be installed on new buses.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Just like Cooper's home, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment offers direct views of the bustling courtyard below.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
City officials have long hoped that the addition of a baseball stadium would connect the tourism-heavy Union Station and Crown Center district with the bustling Crossroads district, a key tie between two popular but distinct destinations.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bustling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustling
Adjective
-
Lucas Giolito had a busy first full day in the Padres organization.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As always, our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, took time out of their busy schedules to answer all our Talladega questions.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The feeding ports keep out buzzing bees, while the ant moat hanger will keep away pesky ants, so the nectar is saved just for the hummingbirds.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Located near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, these elegant accommodations are in the neighborhood's buzzing fashion district.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 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
Verb
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even if a fraction of the clip audience watches or listens to the entirety of something, that audience tends to be very engaged and usually motivated to pay for that content.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The engaged core audience became brand ambassadors, and the resulting social reach was the best launch the client had ever had.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After some 53 years, Antigone remains a no-frills stronghold where community organizers trade flyers near the entrance, and the inventory captures the perspectives of life in a vibrant border city.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
With the collection intertwined with the world of racing since its debut in 1986, the Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch has become a symbol of performance while simultaneously showcasing its distinct design, vibrant hues and innovative technology.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To accept that there will always be creatures teeming nearby, some of them agonizing, expelled from their days.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Mason evokes the vibrant street scene vividly, with archive footage of the area’s teeming bars and even a nod to the Donut Time store immortalized in Sean Baker’s transgender High Noon story Tangerine.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the match, Chelsea captain Reece James made a point of pushing McFarlane towards the travelling support to receive his congratulations.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Roughly 55% of people traveling along the avenue are doing so on a bus, city data says.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bustling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
