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Antonyms for burst

Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : burst
Phonetic Transcription : bÉœrst

Definition of burst

Origin :
  • Old English berstan (intransitive) "break suddenly, shatter under pressure" (class III strong verb; past tense bærst, past participle borsten), from a West Germanic metathesis of Proto-Germanic *brestanan (cf. Old Saxon brestan, Old Frisian bersta, Middle Dutch berstan, Low German barsten, Dutch barsten, Old High German brestan, German bersten "to burst"), from PIE root *bhreus- "to burst, break, crack" (see bruise (v.)).
  • The forms reverted to brest- in Middle English from influence of Old Norse brestan/brast/brosten, from the same Germanic root, but it was re-metathesized late 16c. and emerged in the modern form, though brast was common as past tense through 17c. and survives in dialect.
  • Of extended or distended surfaces from 1530s. Figuratively, in reference to being over-full of excitement, anticipation, etc., from 1630s. Transitive sense ("to cause to break") is from late 13c. Meaning "to issue suddenly and abundantly" is from c.1300 (literal), mid-13c. (figurative). Meaning "break into sudden activity or expression" is from 1680s. Related: Bursting.
  • noun blow-up, blast
  • verb blow up, break out
Example sentences :
  • "Now you are angry with me," exclaimed the sensitive maiden; and she burst into tears.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Then, indeed, she had burst upon him with an impetuous despair that had alarmed him.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • Although my heart was ready to burst, yet could I neither weep nor speak.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Just think a moment: this my first burst from the dungeon-land of London for a whole year!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • He dashed the glass from him, and burst into tears which he did not even try to conceal.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • "Stint it, Humphrey," said the tall squire, with a burst of laughter.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • In the burst of merriment, his pent feelings found their vent.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Sir Nigel pondered for a few moments, and then burst out a-laughing.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • The gentlemen looked at each other, and Max burst out into a merry laugh.
  • Extract from : « Rico and Wiseli » by Johanna Spyri
  • She sat down flat on the floor and burst into passionate weeping.
  • Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark

Synonyms for burst

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019