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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busting
An actor accused of busting into his ex-girlfriend’s home and then stabbing her more than 20 times is facing life behind bars for the brutal attack, officials said Saturday.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Airports facilitate this norm-busting behavior.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Set to a decibel-busting catalog of Celine Dion favorites, the laugh-a-minute musical imagines if Dion herself was a passenger on the Ship of Dreams.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Props to Lane for busting it and getting around the bases and scoring that run.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Arm & Hammer’s household staple, baking soda, is mixed into this detergent because of its strong odor-busting powers.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
While one Chicago White Sox rookie, Munetaka Murakami, is busting down the door, another rookie, Sam Antonacci, is happy to get his foot in the door.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
It's believed those containers are in tunnels so far below ground, America's bunker busting bombs may not be able to reach them.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
The other guys are on their feet, trying to break it up, someone is calling someone else a loser, there are swings and kicks and insults, men grabbing at other men, trying to restrain them and busting the restraints.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Airports facilitate this norm-busting behavior.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Set to a decibel-busting catalog of Celine Dion favorites, the laugh-a-minute musical imagines if Dion herself was a passenger on the Ship of Dreams.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Props to Lane for busting it and getting around the bases and scoring that run.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Arm & Hammer’s household staple, baking soda, is mixed into this detergent because of its strong odor-busting powers.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
While one Chicago White Sox rookie, Munetaka Murakami, is busting down the door, another rookie, Sam Antonacci, is happy to get his foot in the door.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
It's believed those containers are in tunnels so far below ground, America's bunker busting bombs may not be able to reach them.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
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Unfortunately, facilities at public parks and libraries close at nightfall, greatly reducing the number of bathrooms available.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
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In the surgical procedure, a v-shape of the lower lid is removed thereby shortening the area and reducing the defect.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Among its many distinctions, SPLC is known for bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The Aryan Nations case in 2000 delivered a similar outcome for the Keenans, effectively bankrupting Aryan Nations and Butler, one of the nation’s most influential hate proliferators.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Canvas, a learning management platform used by thousands of schools and universities, was down for hours on May 7 after a cyberattack, disrupting access to grades and coursework during spring finals season for many.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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The Iranian military did not say how exactly the vessel, which has since changed its name to Jin Li, was disrupting its oil exports.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Kay, meanwhile, rebounded after a first inning filled with traffic — two singles and hitting a batter with a pitch — to top his previous career high of 5 2/3 innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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As Kelsey Luderer rounded third base and headed home Thursday after hitting a game-tying home run that ignited Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to a 6-3 Division 1 softball playoff win over Anaheim Canyon, she was greeted by every teammate at the plate.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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After arresting the man, the complaint says police found a black iPhone tucked between the driver's seat and the center console in his car.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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The movie fumbles the chance to do something arresting with this seminal period in art.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Minutes later, Marrero slammed into Trainor's unmarked SUV, killing both men.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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His support of wolves, including a Mexican wolf breeding program on the Ladder Ranch in New Mexico, drew the ire of ranching organizations that were raising the alarm about wild wolves killing livestock.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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City Manager Maraskeshia Smith has proposed cuts that include laying off or demoting 37 employees, cutting violence prevention grants and shortening neighborhood pool hours.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
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As far as Williams, the Mets aren’t considering demoting him.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unchecked homelessness is ruining our cities and communities.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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