1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a bust to the boxer's chops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disaster
something that has failed
the first movie was a hit, but the sequel was an unexpected bust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrest
slang
the act of taking or holding under one's control by authority of law
those lowlifes were nabbed for drug dealing in a massive bust last month
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in spree
a bout of prolonged or excessive drinking
a bunch of underage kids having a beer bust while the parents were away for the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bankrupt
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
gambling is a dangerous habit that has busted many unfortunate souls
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
the butterfingered husband had busted more plates than he cared to remember
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
busted the storekeeper on the nose and was promptly arrested for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to arrest
slang
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the cops busted the revelers for drinking in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
I had to bust my butt in order to get the project done on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or busted
as in bankrupt
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bust
Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
More recently, Flynn criticized Councilor Sharon Durkan for suggesting last month that pulling back Council raises would lead to more corruption on the body like the recent federal bust of ex-Councilor Fernandes Anderson for a $7,000 kickback scheme.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 June 2026
Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Cut to Esmerelda wearing a vinyl catsuit and busting a move on the dance floor.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 June 2026
Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Makar may be part cyborg, but even the tightest machines can’t hide a busted axle.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
The bust on the Oceanside Marine Corps base, home to tens of thousands of service members and families, is now in federal hands, with the suspects facing likely charges.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
More recently, Flynn criticized Councilor Sharon Durkan for suggesting last month that pulling back Council raises would lead to more corruption on the body like the recent federal bust of ex-Councilor Fernandes Anderson for a $7,000 kickback scheme.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 June 2026
Verb
But while not as well known as some of its fault-busting brethren, the July 8, 1986, temblor kicked off a series of quakes that rattled Southern California for the better part of a decade.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Cut to Esmerelda wearing a vinyl catsuit and busting a move on the dance floor.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 June 2026
Adjective
This is, as Abdul Rehman says, boom or bust time in Fantasy Premier League land; your last chance to beat your mates or colleagues.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Makar may be part cyborg, but even the tightest machines can’t hide a busted axle.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
When Lucerys refuses, Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon, seemingly meaning to injure him rather than kill him, but his dragon, Vhagar, delivers a fatal blow to Rhaenyra’s son.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Aemond is a murderer, Aegon is a rapist; if either of them ends up on the Iron Throne for good, that would be a disaster.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
-
On the dusty backroads of Radiator Springs, where Lightning McQueen and his pals live, a shower of meteors threatened to bring destruction upon the quarter-size cars in a scene that disaster movie king Roland Emmerich would endorse.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
White was remanded following his initial arrest in March 2025, and will be arraigned at a later date.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
One of the victim’s owners tipped off authorities a day before the couple’s arrest.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The charges stem from a March 15 crime spree in southeast Portland that prosecutors said targeted four women.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
And Louis, perhaps exhausted from his spree of bouts, but also perhaps looking past Schmeling, hadn’t trained much.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
New flyover ramps connecting to I-95 would also be built, while sound barriers would be installed along both sides of the corridor to help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
-
The rich treatment balances strengthening plant proteins with nourishing rosehip and sweet almond oils to reduce breakage and replenish moisture.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Imagine a transformative ripple effect that could create billionaires, bankrupt some of the biggest companies on the planet, and topple governments.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
This is, of course, the real-estate game where players attempt to bankrupt opponents through the buying, renting, and trading of properties.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The fires also disrupted travel across parts of Miami-Dade County.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
-
Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and health conditions like metabolic bone disease can disrupt bone remodeling, leading to weaker bones over time.—
Priya Bhardwaj,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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