as in broken
forcibly separated into many pieces
a busted headlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also bust
1
as in dismissed
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in broke
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 smacked
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busted
Adjective
-
Gustafsson was discovered lying nearby with a broken jaw, fractured cheekbones and a concussion.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
8 July 2025 -
As the girls sang, waves crashed where water shouldn't flow, tumbling through broken roads and structures turned inside-out.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
In their petition, Read's lawyers said the judge did not give counsel for either side the opportunity to speak and dismissed the jury without asking them if they were locked on all charges or any charges individually.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Rodgers dismissed three of Rashada’s other counts Tuesday, almost four months after a hearing.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.—
Lexy Perez,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Believing their beloved team already ruined mock drafting for the next two months, New York Giants fans probably hope for a loss against a Philadelphia Eagles team expected to rest starters Sunday.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
After news of Lively’s complaint broke, WME dropped Baldoni as a client.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Lewis, who read the quarterback perfectly and was initially positioned near the back of the end zone, broke hard toward the area before Maye had finished his delivery.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And then the game itself smacked him like Zack Bolduc’s hit that knocked Hall upside down into the Blues bench.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2025
-
She got smacked, but the ball went in.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Yella Beezy was also once arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana — charges which were later dismissed, according to court documents.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
On Thursday, the Harris County Sheriff's Office arrested Antonio Ridge and charged him with Arbaiza's murder, according to Gonzalez.—
Julia Bonavita,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That plan continues with Steak Shop by Rancher’s Reserve, a 1,500-square-foot shop equipped with a red-brick oven, where pork sausage hot dogs on sourdough buns, potato salad and steak sandwiches will be fired with Florida white oak.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to being put behind bars, Cummins was also fired from his teaching job, and his wife filed for divorce.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The school's email came amid outrage by some over the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a university graduate and pro-Palestinian activist who was apprehended over the weekend and is being detained in Louisiana.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Federal immigration authorities apprehended Khalil at a university residence following his participation in a Gaza solidarity encampment organized by Columbia University students in 2024.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Busted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busted. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share