bustle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bustlenext
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity I couldn't concentrate in all the bustle of the student lounge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bustle

2 of 2

verb

ˈbə-səl How to pronounce bustle (audio)
1
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rush
to proceed or move quickly the hostess bustled about, taking care of last-minute preparations for the party

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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 bustle
Noun
By building a community of misfits, making value plays on underappreciated veterans, and by finding players who prefer the exhale of a prairie sky to the bustle of a big city. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Despite its big-city energy, there’s also no shortage of green space to escape the bustle, from Piedmont Park to the Atlanta BeltLine. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Verb
Of course, Oaxaca's appeal also extends beyond the plate, with colorful colonial architecture, bustling markets, centuries-old churches, and a flourishing art scene. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 Then the doctors would bustle out to see their more appealing patients—the cheerily pregnant ones, whose deliveries constituted the bulk of their income and whose babies would be added to the collage of photos decorating their office walls. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bustle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustle
  1. commotion
  2. burst
  3. rush
  4. disturbance
  5. buzz
  6. hurry
  7. stir
  8. hum
Noun
  • With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
    — Tom Opre, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • However, the extravagant nature of such spending appears to be a bubble that has now burst, especially given the obvious failure to build a domestic talent pool.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • When fire crews arrived on scene, the fire had consumed multiple rooms and had burst through the roof of one of the three hotel buildings.
    — Bryce Buyakie, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • Many real texts from family members are short, rushed and a little messy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Forwards' explosive movements cause hamstring and knee ligament injuries, including ACL tears, with high recurrence if recovery is rushed.
    — Dr. Tal Patalon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of rush
Noun
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Verb
  • For the most recent earnings season, these forecasting fruit flies buzzed around modeling 12% earnings growth for the quarter.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • As the train approaches Portland, the view shifts again, with bridges, waterways, and buzzing streets.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Definition of buzz
Verb
  • Locals and tourists hurried around the pavilions showcasing the best of each state and territory.
    — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026
  • But hurry, — the popular shade is selling out fast.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • Swift’s arrival at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium caused quite a stir there and around the country.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • There’s even Thai food ranging from curry dishes to basil stir fries.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Increasingly, the crux of the debate around AI’s sustainability has been focused on data centers, which make the nebulous concept of AI very concrete with their massive, humming warehouses full of servers and huge energy requirements.
    — Sasha Luccioni, Time, 3 July 2026
  • Project Bluestem Data centers emit humming sounds from generators, fans and other equipment.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of hum

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bustle
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Cite this Entry

“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bustle

Nglish: Translation of bustle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bustle

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