BUSTLE Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

bustle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bustle

as in commotion

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bustle

2 of 2

verb

ˈbə-səl

as in to burst

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

as in to rush

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 bustle

Noun

There was no music and no hustle and bustle in Inwood on Sunday; just the sound of barricades being laid out in the normally boisterous neighborhood. — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 Why now is the best time to visit Many Los Angeles travelers found in Palisades − a picturesque neighborhood between Malibu and Santa Monica − a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

On the other end of the spectrum is the bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a working harbor with a commercial center comprised of shops, bars, and the Cape Ferris Wheel. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026 Whitechapel was bustling, crowded, and poor, a place where vulnerable women might be found. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bustle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustle

Noun

The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
There was no illness or injury, Krauss said, but the dog seemed ready to step away from the crowds and commotion.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of commotion

Verb

Chinese authorities also warned that a barrier lake, which formed at the confluence of the Tsogyal and the Purupqiangzangbu rivers, is overflowing and may burst.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Sip local wines like Norton or Vignoles, hop around downtown, or wander through orchards bursting with ripe apples while leaves crunch underfoot.

— Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of burst

Verb

Paramedics with the Liberty Fire Department rushed to his aid and took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Outside the emergency room entrance, Katie Winschief floated above her body as paramedics put her in a wheelchair and rushed her toward the hospital doors.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of rush

Noun

The smallest robot was the most agile of the three, and the largest one was the best at maintaining its trajectory when faced with disturbances meant to throw it off course.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
On Thursday a tropical disturbance managed to overcome headwinds to become a tropical storm.

— Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Verb

The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
And as Forte mentioned, the film is being released amid glowing reviews and very positive audience buzz.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzz

Noun

Among them was a Washington think tank that caused a stir with a paper that proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Just over 100 years later, Genesis executives posted up at the same historic place aiming to once again cause a stir.

— Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

While the business continues to hum along, competition is on the horizon from Advanced Micro Devices, Google and others.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Wi-Fi networks already hum away in homes, offices, airports, cafes, and shops worldwide, giving a technique like this enormous potential reach.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hum

Browse Nearby Words

busting

bustle

bustled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bustle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bustle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on bustle

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes