burst

A burst is a sudden flurry of activity. Bursts of energy are helpful in shoveling heavy snow, but it's better if you work steadily instead of shoveling fast and stopping.

As a verb, burst is your go-to action word to describe something sudden and energetic happening. It usually means, "to explode outward, with noise" like if you burst into song in the middle of study hall, startling everyone. It also means, “to split open in a violent way due to internal pressure” like an overfilled water balloon. It comes from the Old English word berstan, meaning "break suddenly."

Definitions of burst
  1. verb
    come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
    “The bubble burst”
    synonyms: break open, split
    see moresee less
    types:
    pop
    burst open with a sharp, explosive sound
    blow
    burst suddenly
    stave, stave in
    burst or force (a hole) into something
    type of:
    break, come apart, fall apart, separate, split up
    become separated into pieces or fragments
  2. verb
    break open or apart suddenly and forcefully
    “The dam burst”
    synonyms: bust
    see moresee less
    types:
    shatter
    break into many pieces
    type of:
    break, come apart, fall apart, separate, split up
    become separated into pieces or fragments
  3. verb
    burst outward, usually with noise
    synonyms: explode
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    go off, implode
    burst inward
    types:
    crump
    explode heavily or with a loud dull noise
    go off
    be discharged or activated
    belch, erupt, extravasate
    become active and spew forth lava and rocks
    type of:
    change integrity
    change in physical make-up
  4. verb
    emerge suddenly
    “The sun burst into view”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    emerge
    come out into view, as from concealment
  5. noun
    the act of exploding or bursting
    “the burst of an atom bomb creates enormous radiation aloft”
    synonyms: explosion
    see moresee less
    types:
    detonation
    the act of detonating an explosive
    fulmination
    the act of exploding with noise and violence
    percussion
    the act of exploding a percussion cap
    type of:
    change of integrity
    the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something
  6. noun
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
    synonyms: fusillade, salvo, volley
    see moresee less
    type of:
    fire, firing
    the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
  7. verb
    cause to burst
    synonyms: collapse
    break, cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way
    break down, literally or metaphorically
    see moresee less
    types:
    pop
    cause to burst with a loud, explosive sound
  8. verb
    force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
    synonyms: break, erupt
    see moresee less
    type of:
    express emotion, express feelings
    give verbal or other expression to one's feelings
  9. verb
    move suddenly, energetically, or violently
    “He burst out of the house into the cool night”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    bound, jump, leap, spring
    move forward by leaps and bounds
  10. verb
    be in a state of movement or action
    synonyms: abound, bristle
    see moresee less
    type of:
    feature, have
    have as a feature
  11. noun
    a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)
    “a burst of applause”
    synonyms: fit
    see moresee less
    types:
    fits and starts
    repeated bursts of activity
    type of:
    activity
    any specific behavior
  12. noun
    a sudden intense happening
    “a burst of lightning”
    synonyms: flare-up, outburst
    see moresee less
    types:
    salvo
    an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs
    rush
    a sudden burst of activity
    type of:
    happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent
    an event that happens
Word Family
EDITOR’S CHOICE

Test prep from the experts

Boost your test score with programs developed by Vocabulary.com’s experts.

  • Proven methods: Learn faster, remember longer with our scientific approach.
  • Personalized plan: We customize your experience to maximize your learning.
  • Strategic studying: Focus on the words that are most crucial for success.

SAT/PSAT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 8 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more

TOEFL

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 10 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more

ACT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 700+
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more