Synonyms of busting

busting

verb

present participle of bust

1

as in reducing

to bring to a lower grade or rank

the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reducing
• demoting
• dismissing
• downgrading
• degrading
• breaking
• sacking
• firing
• disrating
• downsizing
• laying off
• canning
• lowering
• humiliating
• debasing
• demeaning
• cashiering
• humbling
• abasing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raising
• promoting
• advancing
• elevating
• hiring

2

as in bankrupting

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

• bankrupting
• ruining
• breaking
• reducing
• impoverishing
• pauperizing
• beggaring
• cleaning (out)
• wiping out
• straitening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enriching
• richening

3

as in disrupting

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

• disrupting
• breaking
• fracturing
• destroying
• reducing
• disintegrating
• fragmenting
• shattering
• ruining
• smashing
• splitting
• crushing
• blasting
• dismembering
• bursting
• grinding
• wrecking
• cracking
• breaking up
• exploding
• riving
• popping
• pulverizing
• detonating
• powdering
• chipping
• atomizing
• shivering
• splintering
• blowing up
• imploding
• slivering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repairing
• fixing
• rebuilding
• healing
• reconstructing
• patching
• renovating
• mending
• reconditioning
• doctoring

4

as in hitting

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

• hitting
• smacking
• knocking
• slapping
• punching
• slamming
• banging
• whacking
• pounding
• clapping
• striking
• cracking
• clipping
• kicking
• swiping
• nailing
• batting
• bashing
• hammering
• thumping
• pushing
• swatting
• tapping
• shoving
• socking
• poking
• licking
• slugging
• boxing
• bobbing
• clobbering
• bopping
• zapping
• jabbing
• clocking
• chopping
• thwacking
• tagging
• rapping
• clouting
• flicking
• bumping
• belting
• smiting
• bonking
• slogging
• stabbing
• walloping
• pasting
• bludgeoning
• biffing
• stroking
• whaling
• beating
• pummeling
• battering
• cuffing
• peppering
• slashing
• mauling
• mangling
• dumping
• pelting
• hanging one on
• stamping
• butting
• lambasting
• roughing
• buffeting
• bunging
• lashing
• whipping
• scuffing
• creaming
• prodding
• jostling
• kneeing
• drubbing
• sapping
• lacing
• bunting
• spearing
• switching
• flailing
• pommeling
• decking
• leveling
• clubbing
• felling
• thrashing
• bowling (down or over)
• braining
• cudgeling
• flogging
• knocking down
• conking
• sledgehammering
• flooring
• caning
• sledging
• sucker punching
• skulling
• beaning
• rabbit-punching

5

as in arresting

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

• arresting
• seizing
• grabbing
• apprehending
• restraining
• pinching
• nailing
• detaining
• nicking
• capturing
• committing
• nabbing
• snatching
• catching
• running in
• pulling in
• trapping
• jailing
• collaring
• picking up
• imprisoning
• hooking
• bagging
• confining
• grappling
• snaring
• incarcerating
• handcuffing
• holding
• landing
• getting
• snapping (up)
• shackling
• locking (up)
• binding
• jugging
• interning
• fettering
• immuring
• enchaining
• manacling
• remanding
• trammeling
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• releasing
• springing
• loosening
• freeing
• liberating
• loosing
• emancipating
• unchaining
• unbinding

6

as in killing

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

• killing
• wearing
• exhausting
• tiring
• draining
• breaking
• harassing
• wasting
• knocking out
• burning out
• wearing out
• fagging
• washing out
• wearying
• fatiguing
• doing in
• weakening
• doing up
• outwearing
• sapping
• frazzling
• tuckering (out)
• wearing to a frazzle
• debilitating
• enfeebling
• enervating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthening
• activating
• energizing
• resting
• invigorating
• rejuvenating
• relaxing
• vitalizing
• unwinding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of busting

Today, with the White Sox doing so well, fans are casting about for ways to follow the game without busting the budget as access is proprietary. — Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

But as fears about distillation intertwine with fears about Chinese AI capabilities more broadly, busting stills one at a time may not be enough to put the American AI industry at ease. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Walker ended the third by busting free for a 76-yard run before he was chased down from behind by Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson at the 8-yard line. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Luckily, creating a warm, inviting glow doesn’t require an electrician or a budget-busting investment. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

There’s an entire genre (nunsploitation) dedicated to busting that particular myth. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Eagle-eyed Dancing With the Stars fans likely spotted season 34 alum Elaine Hendrix in the audience of the ratings-busting season 35 premiere. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

In both Hazelwood’s book and Scanlon’s film (adapted by Sarah Rothschild), what seems like the sort of BFF-busting complication audiences long ago grew tired of is turned on its head. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026

An Israeli official told the outlet that Israel will seek weapons not previously approved for sale, including bunker-busting missiles. — September 18, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026