bustled

verb

past tense of bustle
1
as in buzzed
to be copiously supplied on Saturdays the city's downtown bustles with activity as a farmers' market sets up shop

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hurried
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 bustled Still, the Monon Trail bustled with throngs of curious cyclists and pedestrians. — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 16 Aug. 2026 Miami Host Committee officials and local politicians were at the Fan Festival on Wednesday as workers bustled around putting the final touches on the park. — Miami Herald, 11 June 2026 Already, the campus bustled with activity, even as final construction, landscaping, and art installations continued. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026 Much like their youthful, emotional heartbeats, malls in the ’80s and ’90s bustled, becoming as quintessential to American culture as hot dogs and apple pie. — Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 Local media bustled about the sidelines, snapping photos and recording B-roll, alongside a handful of soccer bloggers and influencers who had come from all around the world. — Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026 Tables packed with fresh produce and homemade goods were vibrantly on display as shoppers bustled on a brisk and sunny February morning. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026 Throughout the next hour, the restaurant bustled with orders for burritos, nachos and other Latin street food offerings as the few workers spoke to each other in Spanish. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 19 Nov. 2025 Two of Los Gatos’ busiest streets bustled louder than usual as hundreds of protesters turned out for No Kings demonstrations and drivers honked at them in support. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bustled
  1. buzzed
  2. hurried
  3. burst
  4. scurried
  5. hummed
  6. sped
  7. bulged
  8. rushed
Verb
  • As for Haaland, whose long, pale-blonde hair nabbed countless headlines during the World Cup, buzzed it off and filmed the whole thing for YouTube.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Solitary bees buzzed through the purple flowers of the California aster.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzzed
Verb
  • When Huijsen was forced off the pitch to receive treatment for a cut to his head, temporarily leaving Madrid with 10 men, Mourinho hurried the doctors and physios along.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The other officers hurried to the second scene as Hernandez tackled a fleeing Edgar to the ground.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurried
Verb
  • The Fire Department rescued numerous residents who had become trapped by the flames, which were seen bursting from the building, KCTV5 reported at the time.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The illusion of a beautiful, war-free Dresden, however, would soon burst for these men, going as flat as the champagne bubbles after the wedding of Billy Pilgrim’s daughter.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • Another quartet scurried around the trash can next to the dishwasher.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As Hodges scurried about in a panic, Devenanzio kept his game face on and won by a mile.
    — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scurried
Verb
  • The bleachers were packed, and for the first time all day the air hummed with genuine enthusiasm.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As the tattoo machine hummed across her leg, Savanna Georges watched another chapter of her faith take shape in ink.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of hummed
Verb
  • Earlier in the game, Thomas’ pressure sped up Milroe, who saw his pass batted down by defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Officers said Rodriguez sped out of the lot and fled the scene.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sped
Verb
  • By later in the day, the second lake had bulged — sparking fears of another lethal torrent.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • My husband Grant Wahl's bulged and burst, at an age when this disease usually means something inherited.
    — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of bulged
Verb
  • Another teacher heard Williams calling for help, and rushed in to help.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Government troops patrolled the streets, ambulances rushed to the victims, and residents ventured out assessing damage and clearing out bloodied clothes from the pavement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rushed

Browse Nearby Words

bustle
bustled
bustles
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Cite this Entry

“Bustled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bustled. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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