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
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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
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.
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Recent Examples of bust
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 May 2026
For unlike the Yankees who are still a home run-or-bust offense, the Rays are a team that emphasizes putting the ball in play.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Chkhikvishvili, a citizen of the nation of Georgia, was busted in July 2024 for trying to recruit someone, who turned out to be an undercover fed, into taking part in murder, bombing and arson plots.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
McAneney had a busted lip and a scratch underneath his right eye in his mugshot.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
The top portion was built around thin metallic shoulder straps, a gunmetal bra-like bodice, a soft V neckline and a narrow peekaboo band under the bust.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 May 2026
For unlike the Yankees who are still a home run-or-bust offense, the Rays are a team that emphasizes putting the ball in play.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Verb
Heyward played seven seasons with the Cubs and was a member of the team’s 2016 curse-busting World Series championship team.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Chkhikvishvili, a citizen of the nation of Georgia, was busted in July 2024 for trying to recruit someone, who turned out to be an undercover fed, into taking part in murder, bombing and arson plots.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
Anyone with a busted NCAA Tournament bracket can still appreciate the bracket one mom has put up on her family's wall in Chicago's southwest suburbs.
—Noel Brennan, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
McAneney had a busted lip and a scratch underneath his right eye in his mugshot.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ozel, in his first and only election as party leader, delivered a decisive blow to Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party in the 2024 municipal polls.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
With Edgewater in the flood zone and Station 42 and Three Rock in disaster response mode, Bode (Max Thieriot) was on a side quest to make amends with Danny Marks (Mike O'Malley), a victim of Bode's criminal past.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
Through packing serious, scalable power into a mobile shipping container, VIVIFY is targeting remote industrial sites, disaster zones, forward military bases, and power-hungry data centers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The Virginia Beach Police Department will hold a press conference on the arrest and investigation on Wednesday, May 20, Newington police said in their release.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the stabbings.—
Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Aside from his political rivals, the posting spree also included a series of posts directed at Iran.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, 17, was taken into custody Sunday after allegedly partaking in a citywide shooting spree that left four people injured, struck two fire stations and triggered a shelter-in-place order in South Austin, the Austin Police Department said in a statement.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort The hotel employs single-stream recycling and green housekeeping practices, and also has a green roof ecosystem to reduce the building’s heat load.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
New research suggests these medications, best known for managing diabetes and driving weight loss, may also reduce the severity of one of the most common and underdiagnosed sleep disorders in the country.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Several of the firms described in detailed filings how the orders, if implemented, would effectively bankrupt them.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Fuel consumption for such a vessel would also likely have bankrupted the Japanese Navy.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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There has also been concern that two common sunscreen ingredients, homosalate and oxybenzone, may have endocrine-disrupting properties.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
-
Residents rallied against landowner Matt Connell’s proposal with many expressing concerns the burial site would disrupt their quiet community and contaminate groundwater or attract wildlife that could dig up the graves.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
After Addi Brown was hit by a pitch, Bree Martinelli struck a two-run double to center field, and Leah Rutherford closed out the scoring with an RBI on a squeeze bunt before Eustis was able to record an out.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
-
The power was once again on display as UCLA hit three home runs, cruising to a 9-1 run-rule win over UCF in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles Friday night.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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