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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bust
Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
Deputies received a tip May 20 and recognized the address from a previous gambling bust there in November.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The Kennedy Center is broken, unsafe, and $busted, and has been for many years!
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 May 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Like many similar hotels in the area, the Nautilus ran into hard times as the Florida land boom went bust.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Two young men — Anthony DiPippo, then 18, and Andy Krivak, then 17, local nuisances with a handful of juvie busts for possession and public mischief — were framed for murder.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
Deputies received a tip May 20 and recognized the address from a previous gambling bust there in November.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
Verb
The Kennedy Center is broken, unsafe, and $busted, and has been for many years!
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
The Kennedy Center is broken, unsafe, and $busted, and has been for many years!
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 May 2026
Adjective
Makar may be part cyborg, but even the tightest machines can’t hide a busted axle.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Like many similar hotels in the area, the Nautilus ran into hard times as the Florida land boom went bust.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
The rookie took a deep breath, settled into his stance and watched as Houston’s pitcher, Enyel De Los Santos, attempted to deliver the final blow.—
Latif Love
June 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Star third baseman José Ramírez broke a bone in his left hand on a swing Saturday and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, a massive blow to the two-time defending AL Central champions.—
Tom Withers,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
When a catastrophic breach at Piney Point threatened Manatee County homes with a toxic flood and fueled an environmental disaster five years ago, state leaders promised to clean up the mess with up to $200 million.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
-
Not allowing insurance companies to shift profits to out-of-state subsidiaries would save me more money than this disaster.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Lang's arrest marks his latest run-in with law enforcement since receiving a presidential pardon last year.—
Shawna Mizelle,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The Statesman reported last December that Boise police provided extra security to Mayor Lauren McLean after Fitzpatrick offered a minimum $10,000 reward for information that could lead to her arrest and conviction — for unidentified crimes.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
So with an eye at going tit-for-tat against Republicans’ gerrymandering spree, Democrats see the midterms as just the next battle in the never-ending redistricting wars.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
The shooting spree began Sunday morning at a gas station in Kochav Yair on the Israeli-West Bank border and moved to nearby towns, including Salit in the West Bank.—
Robert Blankenship,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Before long, the living room is reduced to a bare stage, upon which only a couple of pulleys and switches are visible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Each ergonomic Nuage seat fully reclines to improve circulation and reduce back pressure.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
He is relieved is working at a plant in Elkhart, Indiana which was once a 100-year-old family business, and was bought by a new investor who has nearly bankrupted it in two years.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Deciding on a solution to the long-running turtle tizzy at I-95’s Exit 42, where 100-foot-tall light towers burn so brightly experts say the glow disrupts sea turtle nesting on beaches 12 miles away, has state and local government officials at loggerheads.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
-
According to the regional police, armed supporters of the group shot at security forces in Rawalakot and later surrounded the Combined Military Hospital, disrupting medical services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee saw his 18-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors entering play, come to an end after going hitless in three at-bats.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
