Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

blockbusting

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.56 in modern English

Syllables: block-bust-ing
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A technique used to encourage people to sell their property by giving the impression that a neighborhood is changing for the worse, especially by implying a change in its racial makeup.

American usage; Uncountable

adj

Having the characteristics of a blockbuster; hugely successful.

Example Sentences

"Sonny W. Walker, another of the three black salesmen employed along with three whites by Concord Realty, 3524 Church Avenue, picked up the thread of Mr. Harris's bitter disclaimer that it took deliberate blockbusting—sometimes called panic redlining—to make whites move out of East Flatbush."
"a blockbusting movie"

Etymology

From block + busting.

Usage

American usage
Uncountable

Derived Forms

bonkbusting

Frequently Paired Words

blockbuster

Questions

What does blockbusting mean?: A technique used to encourage people to sell their property by giving the impression that a neighborhood is changing for the worse, especially by implying a change in its racial makeup.
Where does blockbusting come from?: From block + busting.

How to pronounce blockbusting

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