bust

bust

verb

Definition of BUST

1

to bring to a lower grade or rank <the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute>

Synonyms break, bust, degrade, disrate, downgrade, reduce

Related Words can, cashier, dismiss, downsize, fire, lay off, sack; abase, debase, demean, humble, humiliate, lower

Near Antonyms hire

Antonyms advance, elevate, promote, raise

2

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>

Synonyms bankrupt, break, bust

Related Words beggar, impoverish, pauperize; reduce, straiten; clean (out), wipe out

Near Antonyms enrich, richen

3

to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly <the butterfingered husband had busted more plates than he cared to remember>

Synonyms break up, bust, distintegrate, dismember, disrupt, fracture, fragment, rive

Related Words atomize, crush, grind, powder, pulverize, reduce; blast, blow up, burst, detonate, explode; crack, pop, shatter, shiver, smash; chip, sliver, splinter, split; implode; destroy, ruin, wreck

Near Antonyms doctor, fix, heal, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair

4

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 bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap

Related Words batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough; scuff; bunt, flick, stroke, tap; bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp; bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump [slang], fell, floor, knock down, level; rabbit-punch, sucker punch; cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip; bean, brain, conk, skull

slang

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law <the cops busted the revelers for drinking in public>

Synonyms apprehend, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize

Related Words bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap; commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up); bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; rearrest; remand

Near Antonyms emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring; unbind, unchain

Antonyms discharge

6

to use up all the physical energy of <I had to bust my butt in order to get the project done on time>

Synonyms break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, fag, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary

Related Words debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, waste, weaken

Near Antonyms activate, energize, invigorate, rejuvenate, strengthen, vitalize; relax, rest, unwind