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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 busting
Article continues below The 2023 book that this series is based on centered around NASA's barrier-busting 1978 class of astronauts, which included Sally Ride.
—
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is busting budgets across the state.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Bracket-busting upsets, Cinderella stories, OT buzzer beaters – March Madness is here!
—Jenna Vinson, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Agents were busting down doors without warrants, and federal prosecutors were being pressured to investigate Good’s partner’s participation in Twin Cities ICE-watch groups.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
However, the dropping of 5,000-poud bunker-busting bombs on the shores of Iran to blow up entrenched mine and missile sites will make a big difference.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
These days just about everyone is bothered by the budget busting costs of gas and groceries.
—David Wade, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
After busting down his door and ransacking his home, armed officers found neither drugs nor any signs of a kidnapping.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Still, the convergence of budget-busting forces is unlikely to bring the rate of inflation anywhere near its peak of more than 9% in the summer of 2022, Schipper added.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is busting budgets across the state.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Bracket-busting upsets, Cinderella stories, OT buzzer beaters – March Madness is here!
—Jenna Vinson, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Agents were busting down doors without warrants, and federal prosecutors were being pressured to investigate Good’s partner’s participation in Twin Cities ICE-watch groups.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
However, the dropping of 5,000-poud bunker-busting bombs on the shores of Iran to blow up entrenched mine and missile sites will make a big difference.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
These days just about everyone is bothered by the budget busting costs of gas and groceries.
—David Wade, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
After busting down his door and ransacking his home, armed officers found neither drugs nor any signs of a kidnapping.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Still, the convergence of budget-busting forces is unlikely to bring the rate of inflation anywhere near its peak of more than 9% in the summer of 2022, Schipper added.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
-
By influencing two metabolic pathways, both medications may similarly improve blood sugar control while also reducing appetite.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the question of how to get landlords to deliver this housing without bankrupting their buildings matters just as much.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The indictment, unsealed in a federal courthouse in New York on Thursday, accuses Patrick James and Edward James of bankrupting First Brands and fraudulently obtaining billions of dollars behind the backs of the company's lenders and financing partners.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Aid workers at Ladan say the raging war in the Middle East — more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) away — has made their work harder, disrupting supplies and sending fuel costs soaring.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a moment when the market is worried about the technology disrupting a slew of online companies' business models, Young believes Chewy is a safe play.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rest of starters Tristan da Silva opened by hitting his first 3-pointer and made all four of his first-half free throws to reach 11 points by the break.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The surge is also hitting refinance demand, not just purchases, as higher rates have reversed activity that had briefly improved earlier in the month.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Federal officials reinstated the 1998 order in February after arresting her.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, just before the ceremony was set to begin, two officials from the county's sheriff's office halted the wedding by arresting Armstrong.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An unknown assailant shoots up the Vances' house during a Shabbat meal, before killing himself with a cyanide cigarette.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The measure passed, 363–117, killing the death penalty in France.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In late January, the president put border czar Tom Homan in charge of the crackdown, effectively demoting the Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Tampa Bay gave up on Bradley at age 24, demoting him to the minors in his third MLB season and trading him to the Twins at last year’s deadline.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Accused of ruining baseball with their big-spending ways the past two years, the noise has only gotten louder as a labor showdown looms.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
To figure out its mechanism, Julius’s team had to somehow extract it from cells without ruining the very properties the researchers were trying to understand.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
