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

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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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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

The belvedere, the Terrace of Infinity, is crowned by a series of marble busts, and while the Amalfi Coast isn’t lacking in postcard-perfect viewpoints, this staggering spot rising nearly 1,200 feet above the Mediterranean is a scene-stealer. — Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026 The body-contouring gown was transparent from its high neck to its hem, with long sleeves and intricately worked floral embroidery blooming over the bust, navel, hips, and thighs. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

At the outset of the fourth quarter, on a fourth-and-1 from UF’s own 47, Baugh busted through the line again for a 53-yard touchdown. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026 When play resumed, Pettaway busted through Bowling Green's kick coverage, angled toward the right sideline and picked up a key block from Dominic Overby on his way to a 100-yard touchdown. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Adjective

This year’s Tour de France Femmes has been rocked by allegations that some riders are artificially exaggerating their bust size to gain an aerodynamic advantage. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026 By the end of the night, the pavement was littered with busted watermelons, sodas and chips, according to law enforcement and social media videos. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust

Noun

Start with clean hair or roots prepped with dry shampoo, then use a small heated round brush or blow-dryer to give the bangs volume.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
Australia suffered an injury blow with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis sidelined from the rest of the series due to a finger injury.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Los Angeles County officials aim to break ground on the new Eaton Canyon Nature Center before 2028, with plans to construct a facility that can withstand the region’s changing climate and future disasters.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
The Challenger disaster was of course the 1986 explosion of NASA’s eponymous space shuttle shortly after launch, which left all seven crew members dead.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The man arrested at Miami International Airport after chaotic reports of an active shooter Wednesday afternoon was firing toward the crowded terminal before he was detained by deputies, according to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

— David Goodhue, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
No customers denied services, police say After his arrest, Rivera Espinosa was put on administrative leave without pay, according to CMPD.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

Between announcements, conversations, engine noise, and everything else happening around you, reducing these additional sounds can make a long travel day much more comfortable.

— Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
In fact, a 2025 study found that 28 percent of people with telogen effluvium had reduced ferritin levels, while no one in the control group had a deficiency.

— Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

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
Tarwater has warned that the class-action lawsuit currently pending against Jackson County — with a settlement class including 200,000 homeowners — could bankrupt the county if paid out.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of bankrupt

Verb

What to do if your flight is disrupted If your flight is delayed or canceled, start by finding out what caused the disruption.

— Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen oversaw the destruction and warned drug traffickers that authorities would step up efforts to disrupt the illicit trade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

The first curveball of the night came when word hit that Young was closing out the night, as opposed to Willie Nelson.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Following a bohemian couple from Istanbul who hit a wall both creatively and personally, this slow-burn drama takes a little too much time to get the ball rolling but evolves into an honest portrait of artists finding their way out of the darkness.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bust

noun

verb

adjective

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