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

For five years running, Americans have had to live with wallet-fleecing, budget-busting, paycheck-eating inflation – including a painful stretch where the pace of price hikes hit a 40-year high. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

In past years, the floating venue on the Hudson River has served up bonbons of genre-busting performances. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 24 July 2026

Though cyclospora is a parasite and not a type of PFAS, studies have identified agricultural biosolids as a potential source of the gut-busting organism in the food supply. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 23 July 2026

Three times in recent months, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has absolved military aviators caught on camera busting flight regulations. — Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Moss recalled a bass fishing trip last fall when his son accidentally hooked Brooke in the shoulder while fish were busting on the surface in front of them. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Holden getting expelled from a series of prep schools is the equivalent of busting those windows. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Sony Music has announced plans to shutter a Minneapolis warehouse that processes merch for punk bands, prompting its staff to accuse the company of union-busting, See/Saw reports. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026

Its frame story involves a crime-busting couple who, while searching for a missing coed, must view a variety of videotapes. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026