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
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
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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
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Recent Examples of bust
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
In 2024, Darnold, who had previously been considered a bust, much like Smith was in the past, threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while driving Minnesota to a 14-3 record and getting it to the brink of a first-place finish in the NFC North.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
On the first day of demolition in 1996 — April Fool’s Day, Tesoro remembers — the contractor crew busted a water-supply pipe, flooding the three apartments below.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
But experts who study market history are carefully attuned to boom and bust cycles and the inevitable volatility in nearly any market.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Kylie donned a black, fitted mini dress with a cutout just below her bust.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
In 2024, Darnold, who had previously been considered a bust, much like Smith was in the past, threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while driving Minnesota to a 14-3 record and getting it to the brink of a first-place finish in the NFC North.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Then Bradbury had a theory that the young quarterback may have been busting chops with an indirect reference to rookie left tackle Will Campbell, a friend.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
On the first day of demolition in 1996 — April Fool’s Day, Tesoro remembers — the contractor crew busted a water-supply pipe, flooding the three apartments below.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The pair’s fight is fueled by the mundane (a busted dinner party) and the profound (Mark’s addiction, Dawn’s codependence, the constant pressure of professional fighting).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
But experts who study market history are carefully attuned to boom and bust cycles and the inevitable volatility in nearly any market.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Green Bay's offense was dealt a massive blow last week when star tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL against the Panthers.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The journalists who rushed to the scene managed to jot down the names of about a dozen—the VIPs (there were three members of parliament on the train that day, which was a factor in the disaster) and a couple of servants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
As a train barrels toward her near the final moments of the video, Perry spots a daisy on the tracks — seemingly a nod to her daughter — and dodges disaster.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While the clashes caused tension and at least one man was sent to a hospital with a cut to his head, arrests appeared to be minimal.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
According to a 2023 report from Human Rights Watch, millions of Bangladeshis faced political persecution during Hasina’s tenure, including arrests, prosecution, and violence.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the worst killing spree in Germany’s post-war history, a former nurse was jailed in 2019 for life for murdering 85 of his patients.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The widening gap followed a private equity spending spree in 2021, as firms rushed to deploy unspent funds, with activity also boosted by ultra-low interest rates.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In 2025, healthcare costs have the potential to bankrupt even millionaires.—
Alex Ohnona,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Fifth Third Bancorp, for example, saw a jump in profit even as its credit losses grew due to exposure to bankrupt subprime auto lender Tricolor.—
Liz Napolitano,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shutdown has disrupted federal operations, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and put critical programs at risk.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called the immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to disrupt flights nationwide, threaten food assistance for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Cavaliers appeared to be in good position to escape with the win in regulation after forward Evan Mobley hit an above-the-break three-pointer off an assist from forward De’Andre Hunter to give Cleveland a two-point advantage.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Prosecutors said Chastain then used the flashlight to hit Raleigh in the head and mouth before leaving the area.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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