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
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1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of bust
Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Goldman noted even on a backward-looking basis, valuation metrics have sunk to levels last seen in the aftermath of the early-2000s tech bust.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Article continues below The 2023 book that this series is based on centered around NASA's barrier-busting 1978 class of astronauts, which included Sally Ride.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Three Panthers players in Bennett, Marchand and Reinhart look to aid Canada in its gold-or-bust journey.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Erik Duran, who killed a fleeing suspect by hurling a cooler at him following a Bronx buy-and-bust operation.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Goldman noted even on a backward-looking basis, valuation metrics have sunk to levels last seen in the aftermath of the early-2000s tech bust.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Catcher Danny Jansen hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to bust open a close game, and the Rangers held on for an 8-5 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Article continues below The 2023 book that this series is based on centered around NASA's barrier-busting 1978 class of astronauts, which included Sally Ride.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Each year, March Madness can leave you with a busted bracket, so give yourself another chance to pick a winner with The Courier Journal's Louisville nachos tournament.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
Three Panthers players in Bennett, Marchand and Reinhart look to aid Canada in its gold-or-bust journey.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Trump’s handling of his war on Iran—attacking without consultation, expecting unwavering support, forcing higher prices on others—has dealt another blow to these relationships.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Southeast Asian officials said such an outcome would deal a significant blow to US credibility in keeping sea lanes open.—
Gerry Doyle,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Taken to an extreme, an ever-evolving idea of retirement could outlive drastic institutional change, perhaps enduring longer than the institutions of American democracy or beyond climate disaster.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Steve DeJong will retire from the Homewood Fire Department after more than two decades to accept a position at MABAS Illinois, the statewide mutual aid and disaster response coordinator.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The police department has forwarded an affidavit in support of his arrest to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, which will consider whether to file charges against him.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Espinoza is expected to testify again, and jurors will be shown video footage of another interview with Horner taken a few days after his arrest.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police believe one person is responsible for an expensive vandalism spree in Union County, New Jersey.—
Allen Devlin,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Boston led by just three points entering the final quarter before going on a game-breaking 16-6 spree that was started by a long 3-pointer from Pritchard 18 seconds into the period.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Global oil supply has reduced by 13%, according to the IMF, while severe damage has been done to other critical supply chains.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But government hunting programs and other efforts to reduce their numbers as the human population grew led to the local extinction, or extirpation, of the animals from California more than a century ago.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Analyses show the experiment succeeded at expanding access and controlling costs without bankrupting health systems or pharmaceutical firms.—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Woodstock gave its name to a generation, but the concert itself was a debacle that nearly bankrupted its promoters.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The vaccination campaign for measles was disrupted during Bangladesh's recent political upheavals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
For one project, Cohen tried to disrupt a protein associated with insulin resistance and diabetes.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Five pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just hits for Andrew (4-3).—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Among them was Linda Parker, the president and CEO of Women In Distress of Broward County, who said Metayer’s death hit close to home.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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