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
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 busted
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
This gave credence to the defense’s theory that police tampered with the evidence, including the busted taillight, pieces of which were later found at the crime scene, at 34 Fairview Road.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The movie traces his early years, when a busted knee forced him to refocus his energy toward the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Simmons said a busted coverage led to a 59-yard, first-quarter pass play by Bethune-Cookman on third-and-14.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Ella Diaz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Bruiser busted local favorite Rocca and sparked a riot that sent chairs flying; 300 people were injured and riot police were called.
—Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
Green Berets and Army Rangers have been busted trafficking cocaine on military planes, dealing drugs at Fort Bragg, working for Mexican cartels, stealing military weapons, committing murders for hire, and carrying out at least two mass shootings.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The pair fumble over each other trying to bust her bathroom door open to question her, knocking her over in the process and inadvertently breaking her skull against the lip of the tub.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Has the whiskey industry gone from boom to bust?
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The Broncos busted two coverages on Taylor, including once on a 7-yard touchdown.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Cleveland didn’t live up to the hype, the ratings were unspectacular and subsequently, they were busted back down to two national appearances the following year.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The pair’s fight is fueled by the mundane (a busted dinner party) and the profound (Mark’s addiction, Dawn’s codependence, the constant pressure of professional fighting).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
This gave credence to the defense’s theory that police tampered with the evidence, including the busted taillight, pieces of which were later found at the crime scene, at 34 Fairview Road.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
The movie traces his early years, when a busted knee forced him to refocus his energy toward the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Simmons said a busted coverage led to a 59-yard, first-quarter pass play by Bethune-Cookman on third-and-14.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Chisholm Trail’s Xavier Rodriguez was the one to bust Heights’ streak, with his touchdown with 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
—Ella Diaz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Bruiser busted local favorite Rocca and sparked a riot that sent chairs flying; 300 people were injured and riot police were called.
—Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
Green Berets and Army Rangers have been busted trafficking cocaine on military planes, dealing drugs at Fort Bragg, working for Mexican cartels, stealing military weapons, committing murders for hire, and carrying out at least two mass shootings.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The pair fumble over each other trying to bust her bathroom door open to question her, knocking her over in the process and inadvertently breaking her skull against the lip of the tub.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Has the whiskey industry gone from boom to bust?
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The Broncos busted two coverages on Taylor, including once on a 7-yard touchdown.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Cleveland didn’t live up to the hype, the ratings were unspectacular and subsequently, they were busted back down to two national appearances the following year.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busted
Adjective
-
Since Buzzard's Roost opened in 2023, the staff has experienced unexplained broken glasses, books falling off the shelf and many elevator and electronic glitches.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Wednesday night attack at the apartment in the 2800 block of Corabel Lane began as an argument between the husband and wife over a broken personal computer tablet, officials said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was fired Sunday, and defensive coordinator Travis Williams, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson and defensive line coach Deke Adams were dismissed Monday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Pushed to extremes While footage and photographs of starving Palestinians in Gaza have horrified audiences abroad, inside Israel they have been dismissed by many as manipulated or untrue.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
All the problems getting into the ground ruined the trip a bit.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In 1950s Washington, the moral entrepreneurs were members of Congress and expert witnesses who labeled people Soviet collaborators and ruined many of their lives.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the 2004 American League Championship Series, the Red Sox not only broke their World Series curse that year, but went on to defeat the Yankees in the teams' next two postseason battles in 2018 and 2021.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the circle closed in, the pig faked right and broke left, making a mad dash for the nearby woods (Jonathan Taylor, watch your back).—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald also smacked solo shots, and Jeffers doubled in a run.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Linklater took a more aggressive directorial tack than usual, pushing Hawke to subtract any mannerisms that smacked too much of himself.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was arrested in November 1957 after the body of local hardware store owner and shopkeeper Bernice Worden, 58, was found hanging from hooks and mutilated in his shed.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Ongoing litigation In recent months, more than 400 Venezuelans with TPS have been arrested during ICE check-ins and traffic stops, even though the protections were supposed to be in place before Friday’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The topic of free speech, particularly on college campuses, made recent headlines after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed during an event at Utah State University.—
Hannah Pinski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
According to News4 San Antonio, four people inside the home were injured in the shooting along with Marble, who was killed.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The shattered glass remained in its frame in the images.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
After struggling with life inside a Greenland bunker, the anxious Garrity family decides to leave that safety and navigate a shattered and radioactive wasteland of Europe to find a new home.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busted. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share