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Definitions

bustling

[buhs-ling] / ˈbʌs lɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
active
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alive effective operating
STRONG
flowing functioning going mobile movable operative progressive pushing rapid rolling running rushing rustling shifting simmering speeding streaming traveling turning walking working
WEAK
astir at work efficacious exertive hasty impelling in force in play in process moving restless speedy swarming
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed inoperative unmovable unworking
WEAK
abeyant disinterested dormant idle immobile inactive indifferent inert lazy quiescent quiet sluggish
ADJECTIVE
active
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggressive alive bold busy determined diligent dynamic eager energetic engaged enthusiastic forceful intense keen lively quick ready resolute
STRONG
alert daring fireball jumping pushing rapid sharp whiz
WEAK
agile animated assiduous brisk chipper dashing dexterous enlivened enterprising eventful forcible fresh frisky hard-working high-spirited hyper industrious inventive nimble on the move perky persevering purposeful sprightly spry zealous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
afraid apathetic calm cowardly disinterested dispirited dull idle ignorant inactive indifferent irresolute lazy lethargic lifeless meek quiet slow sluggish stupid uneducated unenthusiastic weak
WEAK
abeyant dormant immobile inert quiescent
ADJECTIVE
agile
Synonyms
STRONGEST
athletic buoyant energetic frisky limber lithe lively quick rapid sharp spirited sprightly supple
WEAK
active acute alert brisk clever dexterous easy-moving fleet mercurial prompt quick on the draw quick on the trigger quick-witted ready sportive spright spry stirring swift twinkle toes vigorous vivacious winged zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic depressed dispirited down dull ignorant inactive lazy lethargic lifeless rigid slow sluggish stiff stupid
WEAK
brittle clumsy
ADJECTIVE
alive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awake eager ready rife
STRONG
animated
WEAK
abounding alert brisk cheerful dynamic energetic lively overflowing quick replete sharp spirited sprightly spry stirring swarming teeming vigorous vital vivacious zestful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
unanimated
WEAK
dispirited dull lifeless morose sluggish spiritless
ADJECTIVE
brisk
Synonyms
STRONGEST
energetic lively quick speedy spry vigorous
STRONG
alert animated busy
WEAK
adroit agile double-time nimble sprightly vivacious zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
idle inactive lazy lethargic lifeless slow sluggish
WEAK
temperate unenergetic warm
ADJECTIVE
busy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
full hectic lively restless
STRONG
humming hustling popping tiring
WEAK
busy as a beaver energetic fussy strenuous tireless
Antonyms
WEAK
idle inactive lazy quiet unbusy unemployed unengaged
ADJECTIVE
going
Synonyms
STRONG
flowing functioning impelling mobile movable moving operating operative progressive pushing rapid rolling running rushing rust
WEAK
alive astir at work effective efficacious exertive hasty in force in play in process restless
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed immobile permanent stationary unmovable
ADJECTIVE
humming
Synonyms
STRONG
brisk busy buzzing hopping
Antonyms
STRONG
inactive
ADJECTIVE
hustling
Synonyms
STRONG
busy occupied
WEAK
active
Antonyms
STRONG
idle inactive
ADJECTIVE
lively
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animated bright buoyant cheerful enjoyable entertaining festive frisky nimble peppy provocative refreshing spirited stimulating vigorous
WEAK
agile alert animate astir blithe blithesome bouncy brisk buzzing chipper chirpy complex dashing driving effervescent enterprising frolicsome full of pep gay go-go happy hyper industrious involved jocund jumping keen merry perky pert quick rousing snappy sparkling sprightly spry stirring vivacious zippy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic depressed down dull gloomy heavy inactive lethargic sad somber unhappy unpleasant
WEAK
dispirited lifeless sleepy
ADJECTIVE
restless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitated anxious disturbed edgy fidgety itchy nervous restive sleepless troubled uneasy unruly unsettled
WEAK
active antsy bundle of nerves changeable fidgeting fitful footloose fretful hurried ill at ease inconstant intermittent irresolute jumpy nomadic on edge perturbed roving spasmodic strung-out tossing and turning transient turbulent unpeaceful unquiet unrestful unstable unsteady wandering worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected composed content cool easygoing laid-back peaceful quiet relaxed settled unworried
ADJECTIVE
rousing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bouncy chirpy enthusiastic lively spirited zippy
STRONG
active alert animated brisk busy buzzing dashing jumping refreshing stimulating
WEAK
astir bright buoyant energetic frisky full of pep hyper industrious peppy perky snappy spry vigorous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
apathetic dispirited lethargic
STRONG
idle inactive lazy quiet sluggish
ADJECTIVE
sleepless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fidgety
WEAK
active alert antsy anxious edgy fidgeting jumpy nervous on edge strung-out tossing and turning troubled unsettled wakeful wide-awake wired worried
ADJECTIVE
unquiet
Synonyms
WEAK
active agitated antsy anxious bundle of nerves changeable disturbed edgy fidgeting fidgety fitful footloose fretful hurried ill at ease inconstant intermittent irresolute itchy jumpy nervous nomadic on edge perturbed restive roving sleepless spasmodic strung-out tossing and turning transient troubled turbulent uneasy unpeaceful unrestful unruly unsettled unstable unsteady wandering worried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The new Erewhon cafe in the museum, announced last week, was bustling.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Claire, played with bustling, brisk energy and light humor by Ms. Young, lives with her husband in New York, and urges Catherine to join them there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The highly unusual attack took place in the bustling Grosse Bergstrasse in Hamburg Altona, near an inner-city Ikea store on Monday evening.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Myanmar's ageing railway stations are bustling with life, crowded with passengers as surging fuel prices due to the Mideast war drive commuters to choose trains over costly planes and cars.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Anya let Ilana pull her through the kitchen, bustling with even more people, out a back door and into a walled courtyard.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack