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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bust
Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 2 June 2026
In the end, though, the megamansion pitch was a bust — Wilder eventually sold her apartments in July 2022 to a pair of LLCs.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 2 June 2026
Gary Bedore
may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Here is the story of Eternally Yours, the first-ever busted script featured on Dead Pilots Society to subsequently make it to series.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Its satin fabric is surprisingly forgiving thanks to its four-way stretch, while an adjustable, self-tie back and padding-free bust will allow me to fine-tune my fit before running to the tailor.
—Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 2 June 2026
In the end, though, the megamansion pitch was a bust — Wilder eventually sold her apartments in July 2022 to a pair of LLCs.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 2 June 2026
Verb
LeBlanc’s homer was a two-run walk-off blast that busted a 12-12 tie.
—Gary Bedore
may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
The mess has led to the rise of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose longtime top advisor just pleaded guilty to fraud after being busted in a scheme to steal funds from one of Becerra’s campaign accounts that was dormant.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Adjective
Like many similar hotels in the area, the Nautilus ran into hard times as the Florida land boom went bust.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Here is the story of Eternally Yours, the first-ever busted script featured on Dead Pilots Society to subsequently make it to series.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
At that pace, even a tiny micrometeoroid has the ability to impart a significant kinetic blow upon striking a spacecraft en route to the moon, with potentially disastrous results for the astronaut crew inside.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
Sánchez had the big blow with a two-run shot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The offense has been a disaster, the pitching staff has sustained some key injuries and the club has spent the first two months struggling to keep its head above water.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters maps and tracks every chemical disaster reported by the media on its website.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
So far no arrests have been made, and there is no information available on any suspects.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The mug shot, however, had nothing to do with any current criminal investigations, which didn’t exist anyway — the photo came from a misdemeanor reckless driving arrest 23 years earlier.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Six people were killed in a shooting spree at multiple locations across an Iowa city in an apparent domestic dispute, according to police.—
Jessie DiMartino,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Culatta expected there would be a reckoning around ed tech after schools went on a massive spending spree on devices and software during the Covid pandemic.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Spirulina helps eliminate heavy metal build-up in the body, for instance; ginger and cumin reduce bloating; lecithin and gingko can improve memory.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Statistically, the drug reduced the risk of death by 60% compared with chemotherapy.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Character also involves standing up to people who are bankrupting and corrupting this country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
He is relieved is working at a plant in Elkhart, Indiana which was once a 100-year-old family business, and was bought by a new investor who has nearly bankrupted it in two years.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Closure of the strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea and a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, could significantly disrupt global trade.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
The British Museum elected to postpone a Jewish Culture Month event that was scheduled to take place last Thursday, May 28th due to concerns that the talk—a lecture on Ancient Israel and Judah—might be disrupted by protests.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
The hitting coaches have been really emphasizing it.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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