BUST Synonyms: 459 Similar and Opposite Words

bust 1 of 3

noun

Definition of bust

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

as in disaster

something that has failed the first movie was a hit, but the sequel was an unexpected bust

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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bust

2 of 3

verb

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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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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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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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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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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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bust

3 of 3

adjective

variants or busted

as in bankrupt

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bust

Noun

Now nobody wants to start fashioning a bust in Canton for Rodriguez already but as fellow linebacker Jordyn Brooks told the Miami Herald, the rookie has the potential to be an amazing player for quite some time. — Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 At some point, presumably, the AI-tech dominance of the index will carry too far and the S&P 500's great structural sheltering mechanism will leave it exposed to a bust cycle and a wave of capital destruction. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Walker ended the third by busting free for a 76-yard run before he was chased down from behind by Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson at the 8-yard line. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 Palminteri argued that early career struggles do not define a player's potential, pointing to guys like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield who got drafted, bombed, busted, and then roared back. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Together, the data suggest a labor market in neither boom nor bust mode — one that is increasingly becoming an afterthought for Federal Reserve officials looking to plot their next monetary policy action. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 His confidence was bust last season Hi James, from what the boss said in the press conference, Jones wanted out. — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust

Noun

For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

After the storms, Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation that made additional state resources available for response and recovery, his office said.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The casing is consistent with the same caliber of weapon that Jones had in his possession when police took him into custody, a Fort Worth Police Department homicide unit detective wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Ormond’s lawyers asked the judge in the case to issue an arrest warrant and to hold Ovitz in contempt.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrest

Noun

That borrowing spree, in turn, could present a risk to large Wall Street firms if clients are unable to pay them back.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
The stakes are highest for Meta, which went on a massive spending spree last year to acquire talent and build a business in AI that could compete with OpenAI and Anthropic.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of spree

Verb

Slickwater uses a mix of water, sand, and thin, friction-reducing chemicals rather than thicker gels to shatter dense shale rock deep underground and free the gas.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Choudri told the board during the hearing that the agency had adopted measures to reduce consultant costs.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

At a June forum for county executive candidates, former Legislator Dan Tarwater said the lawsuit could cost up to $1 billion in payouts, potentially bankrupting Jackson County.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Sometimes the very entities owning these hospitals and nursing homes are purposely bankrupting them, pillaging them of their value to maximize the owners’ profits.

— Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of bankrupt

Verb

Gone are the four nations, corresponding to the elements, who coexisted in harmony that was disrupted and then, episode by episode, restored.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
The measure drew support from numerous Cornell students and Ithaca residents, although some graduate students raised concerns that the restrictions were overly broad and could disrupt activities unrelated to Greek life.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

Residential real estate prices may hit a bottom in the third quarter of 2028, the report said.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
For Fleabag and The Tourist producer Two Brothers, the show is the first hitting the international market since its parent, All3Media, was acquired by Banijay.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of hit

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bussing

bust

busted

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Style

“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bust

noun

verb

adjective

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