Antonyms for bursting


Grammar : Adj
Spell : burst
Phonetic Transcription : bÉœrst


Definition of bursting

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.
  • adj breaking open
  • adj as full as possible
Example sentences :
  • Just give me a hint, to keep me from 'bursting,' so to speak!
  • Extract from : « The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage » by Charles G. D. Roberts
  • She had been smiling while she was telling this to him, but now she dismayed him by bursting into tears.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Cut a slit in the shell of every one to prevent their bursting when hot.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • This will make them more transparent, and prevent them from bursting.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • "And besides that, I hate you," she added, bursting into tears and starting for the house.
  • Extract from : « Pee-wee Harris » by Percy Keese Fitzhugh
  • As she went away he stared after her and seemed to swell with some bursting emotion.
  • Extract from : « Alice Adams » by Booth Tarkington
  • With the bursting open of the door, the noise of their howling had increased tremendously.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • And there were the dogs, ever squabbling and bickering, bursting into uproars and creating confusions.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • His heart seemed full almost to bursting, and he could not utter a word.
  • Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin
  • In a moment, as he came into view, Helen felt like bursting into tears of disappointment.
  • Extract from : « The Law-Breakers » by Ridgwell Cullum

Synonyms for bursting

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