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
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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bust
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Stutz also created the two 8-foot-tall busts of a police officer and a firefighter that stand outside the Carlsbad Safety Training Center.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, Jamie busts through the house to Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) surgical room and gently places Amy on the table.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and CHP officers blocked off the shooting scene around a white sedan with front-end damage, a busted windshield and deployed airbags.
—City News Service, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
March Madness is finally here Basketball fans — consider this your cheat sheet before the brackets bust.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Stutz also created the two 8-foot-tall busts of a police officer and a firefighter that stand outside the Carlsbad Safety Training Center.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Even still, Rutgers offered UCLA plenty of chances to bust the game open.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, Jamie busts through the house to Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) surgical room and gently places Amy on the table.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The break-in left Perakis to deal with a busted window and a mess inside.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and CHP officers blocked off the shooting scene around a white sedan with front-end damage, a busted windshield and deployed airbags.
—City News Service, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
The final blow came in the 70th minute with Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s run down the left flank, setting up Miahara Niehues, making a late run in the middle, for the finish.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Hot tools are big and bulky, and most hotels provide some sort of blow dryer.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than a dozen scientists, meteorologists and disaster experts queried by The Associated Press put the March heat wave in a kind of ultra-extreme classification with such events as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave, the 2022 Pakistan floods and killer hurricanes Helene, Harvey and Sandy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The satellites would be used to power solar panels, even during non-peak sun hours, as well as to illuminate disaster zones and expand daytime hours.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The official was noncommittal about whether the administration would continue to negotiate over arrests without judicial warrants.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Just consider these arrests first, if only to give victims — many immigrants themselves — consideration, too.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Much of Nvidia’s financing spree has gone to companies that buy its chips, leading to criticism that such circular investments are fueling a bubble.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That efficiency was evident during his quick scoring spree on Sunday.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the kitchen, ingredients are sourced locally to reduce carbon footprint and maintain freshness.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trailing in most polls to a center-right challenger who has promised to restore Hungary's Western alliances and end its dependence on Russian energy, Orbán has ramped up unfounded accusations that Kyiv and the European Union seek to bankrupt Hungary by forcing it to financially assist Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Once the world’s leading producer, it was bankrupted by China’s price dumping.—
Markos Kounalakis,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This illumination can temporarily blind the animals, leaving them more vulnerable while disrupting their natural habits.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
-
At that point, the parasite disrupts brain regions that regulate circadian rhythm, causing patients to become sleepy during the day and awake at night.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ball then hit the football goal post crossbar and bounded down to Luis Duenas who headed it from point-blank range toward the net.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The organization doesn’t expect Owens to hit and pitch in the same game this year, but intends to build him toward that goal eventually.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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