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
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Recent Examples of bust
Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Two women from California are charged with drug trafficking after being busted with kilos of cocaine at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Nintendo, on the other hand, has sidestepped this boom and bust cycle.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Williams calmly flipped the pass to Swift in the right flat, taking advantage of a coverage bust.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The layered neckline, with the bust peeking out from behind, imitates this season's hottest red carpet trend, the semi-visible bra.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Police busted Bujor Sunday on animal cruelty charges, in addition to driving without a license.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Two women from California are charged with drug trafficking after being busted with kilos of cocaine at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Crews spotted busted doors, hallways with no lights on, and puddles of water on the floor.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Nintendo, on the other hand, has sidestepped this boom and bust cycle.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
George Kittle’s Achilles had popped, a devastating blow to the soul of the roster.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
More than a year after the disaster, which killed all but two people on board, much is still unclear about why the passenger jet crash landed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The councilwoman emphasized that every neighborhood in Los Angeles is just one disaster from devastation.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kiefer Sutherland accused of assaulting top fashion designer Two years after his DUI arrest, Sutherland was dealt misdemeanor charges over an alleged altercation involving Proenza Schouler designer Jack McCollough.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Diaspora celebrates political turning point The poll mirrors public celebrations among the diaspora in South Florida following Maduro's arrest.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Luchin was charged with the spree in state court last year, but now federal prosecutors have taken the reins.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The robbery was believed to be one of eight Chicago-area bank heists pulled by Erickson in a 23-month crime spree that netted nearly $180,000.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Born in 1926 in Weimar Germany, where hyperinflation bankrupted his father’s business, the young Linz witnessed the breakdown of democracy and the onset of Hitler’s dictatorship.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
-
County leaders are concerned about bankrupting the fund, which would in turn jeopardize county services.—
Erin Glynn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, employers estimate that 39% of core skills — such as problem-solving and communication — will be disrupted by 2030, with 40% of firms planning to reduce their workforce specifically due to AI automation.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Both claim that new jobs and addressing the threat of being eclipsed by other nations offsets the risk of data centers damaging the environment and disrupting people’s lives.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stevens said the loss of Lea’e’s father hit the team hard.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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