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

Kansas State answered with its own three-play drive, with 73 of the 77 yards coming on a TD pass from Blake Barnett to Derrick Salley behind busted coverage. — ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026

So 85 of Smith-Njigba’s yards came on the two screens and the busted coverage on the double move. — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Prescott threw an interception, and Daniels found Tez Johnson in busted coverage for a 64-yard catch-and-run. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

In her now expired Instagram Stories screenshotted by People, the influencer showed off a busted lip and claimed Ross was responsible. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

On one of the most damaging, KU blitzed a cornerback and a busted coverage left Donovan Olugbode uncovered along the left sideline. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 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

Verb

Then Oliver was busted for allegedly driving under the influence, and that was that. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Approach the Buck, Not the Doe In a lockdown scenario, your biggest threat of getting busted while reaping is always the doe. — Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 10 Nov. 2026

Simmons busted through Nelson at left guard and center Jalen Sundell. — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Its title refers to a deep-cover agent left behind after a spy ring is busted, to bide their time and await instructions. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Authorities in the North Bay busted several large gatherings of teenagers over Halloween weekend, in which some of the events had alcohol present. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The sun hadn’t yet risen over the Wasatch Range when Kalani Sitake decided to bust a move. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

On Monday, the soldiers were still missing, leading to an aggressive search by angry gang-force soldiers who busted the gate of a local business searching for gang members and flew over the area in helicopters. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

California crime The LAPD busted a secret network of brothels — but hasn’t arrested the owner. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026