burst
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for burst, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To break open suddenly, often from internal pressure.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use burst
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "berstan," tracing back to a Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to burst, break, or split."
Full origin of burst →Frequently asked questions
What does “burst” mean?
The word “burst” means to break open suddenly, often from internal pressure. In plain terms, to break open suddenly, or a short, sudden surge of something (energy, noise, activity).
How do you pronounce “burst”?
“Burst” is pronounced burst (/bɝst/ in IPA).
How do you use “burst” in a sentence?
Here is “burst” used in a sentence: “The balloon burst with a loud pop.”
What part of speech is “burst”?
Depending on how it is used, “burst” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “burst” come from?
The word “burst” comes from Old English. From Old English "berstan," tracing back to a Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to burst, break, or split.".
Is “burst” a common word?
“Burst” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “burst” have?
“Burst” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break open suddenly, often from internal pressure.
What is the past tense of burst?
Burst is an irregular verb whose form does not change: the base, past tense, and past participle are all 'burst' (as in 'the pipe bursts today', 'the pipe burst yesterday', and 'the pipe has burst'). Forms such as 'bursted' are considered nonstandard in modern English.
What is the difference between burst and bust?
Burst means to break open suddenly from internal pressure, such as a balloon or a pipe, and keeps the same spelling in the past tense. Bust is a more informal word that can mean to break, smash, or raid, and it takes the past form 'busted'. In everyday careful writing, burst is preferred for things splitting open.
What is the difference between burst into and burst out?
Both phrases describe a sudden, forceful action, but they usually pair with different words. 'Burst into' often precedes a noun, as in 'burst into tears' or 'burst into the room', while 'burst out' commonly precedes a verb, as in 'burst out laughing' or 'burst out crying'.