Synonyms of busted

busted 1 of 2

adjective

as in broken

forcibly separated into many pieces

a busted headlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• broken
• shattered
• fractured
• smashed
• ruined
• collapsed
• damaged
• fragmented
• cracked
• split
• destroyed
• exploded
• blasted
• demolished
• splintered
• wrecked
• fragile
• mangled
• devastated
• mutilated
• disintegrated
• detonated
• pulverized
• imploded
• obliterated
• brittle
• delicate
• wiped out
• slivered
• breakable
• dynamited
• extirpated
• defaced
• ruinate
• frail
• eradicated
• frangible
• exterminated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unbroken
• repaired
• fixed
• reconstructed
• patched
• healed
• mended
• rebuilt
• unbreakable
• infrangible

busted

2 of 2

verb

variants also bust

past tense of bust

1

as in demoted

to bring to a lower grade or rank

the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demoted
• reduced
• dismissed
• degraded
• downgraded
• broke
• sacked
• fired
• disrated
• laid off
• downsized
• cashiered
• canned
• humiliated
• lowered
• humbled
• debased
• demeaned
• abased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raised
• advanced
• promoted
• hired
• elevated

2

as in ruined

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

• ruined
• bankrupted
• broke
• reduced
• impoverished
• wiped out
• cleaned (out)
• beggared
• pauperized
• straitened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enriched
• richened

3

as in disrupted

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

• disrupted
• broke
• fractured
• destroyed
• shattered
• disintegrated
• ruined
• reduced
• smashed
• fragmented
• broke up
• crushed
• split
• blasted
• cracked
• dismembered
• wrecked
• exploded
• popped
• ground
• pulverized
• burst
• rived
• powdered
• chipped
• detonated
• shivered
• blew up
• atomized
• splintered
• imploded
• slivered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repaired
• fixed
• rebuilt
• reconstructed
• healed
• patched
• renovated
• mended
• reconditioned
• doctored

4

as in knocked

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

• knocked
• smacked
• slapped
• hit
• punched
• slammed
• banged
• whacked
• clapped
• pounded
• cracked
• struck
• swiped
• clipped
• kicked
• batted
• bashed
• nailed
• hammered
• thumped
• shoved
• tapped
• socked
• poked
• rapped
• licked
• clobbered
• pushed
• swatted
• boxed
• slugged
• bopped
• jabbed
• clocked
• zapped
• thwacked
• bobbed
• stabbed
• pasted
• chopped
• bludgeoned
• flicked
• tagged
• clouted
• walloped
• whaled
• bumped
• biffed
• smote
• belted
• bonked
• slogged
• battered
• pummeled
• mangled
• stroked
• mauled
• beat
• cuffed
• roughed
• bunged
• buffeted
• lashed
• stamped
• dumped
• slashed
• laced
• peppered
• hung one on
• scuffed
• butted
• lambasted
• pelted
• whipped
• jostled
• decked
• drubbed
• prodded
• creamed
• kneed
• felled
• conked
• pommeled
• switched
• thrashed
• speared
• bunted
• floored
• clubbed
• leveled
• sapped
• flailed
• knocked down
• flogged
• caned
• sledgehammered
• beaned
• bowled (down or over)
• sucker punched
• brained
• sledged
• cudgeled
• rabbit-punched
• skulled

5

as in arrested

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

• arrested
• seized
• grabbed
• apprehended
• pinched
• nailed
• restrained
• nicked
• detained
• nabbed
• caught
• captured
• jailed
• committed
• collared
• snatched
• ran in
• pulled in
• trapped
• picked up
• hooked
• imprisoned
• incarcerated
• landed
• snared
• confined
• handcuffed
• snapped (up)
• bound
• got
• grappled
• bagged
• locked (up)
• held
• shackled
• interned
• jugged
• fettered
• remanded
• immured
• manacled
• rearrested
• trammeled
• enchained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharged
• released
• sprang
• loosened
• freed
• liberated
• loosed
• emancipated
• unchained
• unbound

6

as in killed

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

• killed
• wore
• tired
• exhausted
• drained
• broke
• harassed
• knocked out
• burned out
• wasted
• wearied
• fatigued
• washed out
• wore out
• fagged
• frazzled
• weakened
• tuckered (out)
• did in
• outwore
• did up
• wore to a frazzle
• sapped
• debilitated
• enfeebled
• enervated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activated
• strengthened
• energized
• rested
• rejuvenated
• relaxed
• invigorated
• vitalized
• unwound

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of busted

Adjective

Thornton scored from Mahomes later on a busted coverage by Chamarri Conner, who was quick to turn to Steve Spagnuolo to take the blame. — Kansas City Star, 5 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

The components might be familiar—guitars that sound like they’re played through a busted Zenith TV at full volume, heavy acoustic strumming à la ’90s folk-grunge group Days of the New, Slocum’s fading read-out of a voice—but they’re all pulled into slightly unusual shapes. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026

Moore suffered a possible broken nose and busted lip, the warrant said. — Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Makar may be part cyborg, but even the tightest machines can’t hide a busted axle. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 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

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

Verb

He was busted at least five times for pot possession but never did serious jail time. — Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026

Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is fixing its broken yeti, the star of thrilling roller coaster Expedition Everest that has been busted for about 20 years. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Once Napier threw Vipress into a chair that was placed in between turnbuckles, she was busted wide open. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Fisher said three witnesses, including a veterinarian, saw the weight on the scale that busted the record. — Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 14 Aug. 2026

Barbecho’s license had been suspended since April 2025 when he was busted for drunk driving, officials said. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

But Americans who have lost their jobs – or are seeking to bust into the job market for the first time – are struggling to catch a break. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

The grizzly bear had just busted over the low ridge at 40 yards, and was barreling right at me. — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026

Fishermen on Cape Cod were recently busted for violating Bay State recreational fishing laws, as more than 100 fish were seized. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026