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

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

Offices are buzzing about busted brackets, surprise upsets, Cinderella stories, and who’s cutting down the nets. — Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026

Verb

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

Ossie then agrees to tell any of Camille and Robert Sims’s Raiders that his equipment’s busted and unusable. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Mexico faces formidable challenges trying to bust through a familiar World Cup barrier, with Liga MX owners not focused on helping bolster the national team. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Two teens who engaged a Waymo car for an afternoon of carousing were busted after the vehicle delivered them to the San Mateo police. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Japan extended the lead to 24-10 straight after when, after 16 phases, player of the match Ben Gunter busted through four Italians to touch down. — ABC News, 4 July 2026

The players around you might hit 21 three hands in a row, while others seem to bust every time. — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 July 2026

Corporations have already busted their spending record set in 2024 — $461 million then, compared to $517 million as of June this year. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2026