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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busting
In a region where locals are most concerned about sky-high housing prices and budget-busting groceries, keeping up with an interstate political battle can seem irrelevant.
—
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
His goal to seal the win against Italy — a lung-busting run and cultured finish in the dying moments — helped to illustrate the impressive engine at the heart of Cremaschi’s game.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Since 1980, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has maintained a database tracking these bank-busting events, logging every drought, flood, freeze, severe storm, tropical cyclone, wildfire, or winter storm that had a price tag of $1 billion or more.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Another key question observers inside and outside China increasingly are asking – will Xi take a fourth term as leader of the party, the military and the state, thus further busting norms?
—Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The team may be able to fall back on State Density Bonus Law to keep its height-limit-busting project alive.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Cut to a few months later though, Timmy was busting at the seams.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Plus, the announcement came toward the tail end of yet another massive year for Bad Bunny — after a triumphant 31-date residency in Puerto Rico, an Amazon stream of the concert that broke records, and the blockbuster success of his chart-busting album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
Tech’s pollution-busting process amounts to the elimination of 2245ppm of CO2 in less than 10 hours and more than 20 percent of NOx by a 30g sample of the material.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
His goal to seal the win against Italy — a lung-busting run and cultured finish in the dying moments — helped to illustrate the impressive engine at the heart of Cremaschi’s game.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Since 1980, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has maintained a database tracking these bank-busting events, logging every drought, flood, freeze, severe storm, tropical cyclone, wildfire, or winter storm that had a price tag of $1 billion or more.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Another key question observers inside and outside China increasingly are asking – will Xi take a fourth term as leader of the party, the military and the state, thus further busting norms?
—Deirdre Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The team may be able to fall back on State Density Bonus Law to keep its height-limit-busting project alive.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Cut to a few months later though, Timmy was busting at the seams.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Plus, the announcement came toward the tail end of yet another massive year for Bad Bunny — after a triumphant 31-date residency in Puerto Rico, an Amazon stream of the concert that broke records, and the blockbuster success of his chart-busting album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
Tech’s pollution-busting process amounts to the elimination of 2245ppm of CO2 in less than 10 hours and more than 20 percent of NOx by a 30g sample of the material.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
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Solutions like breathable film packaging and smart logistics play a crucial role in reducing waste and prolonging shelf life.—
William Jones,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding sugar, eliminating tobacco, and curbing or skipping alcoholic beverages altogether, play a role in reducing early breast cancer recurrence.—
Marnie Goodfriend,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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See video … WATCH TOM HOMAN – With a secure border, the US is bankrupting cartels.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This groundbreaking method could transform the way researchers study complex diseases, including cancer, without disrupting natural cellular processes.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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There has been a history of computer problems disrupting flights in the industry, though most of the time the disruptions are only temporary.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Police arresting a pile of mac and cheese.—
Kimberly Richardson,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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As the first episode unfolds, Piest's mom's actions lead to police questioning Gacy and eventually arresting him just days after the teenager's disappearance.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By refusing to specify details of the case, the government keeps the possibility alive of changing their reasoning or their claims to have the same effect for different reasons—just as the mob changes its reasoning for killing Cinna.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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Local police and first responders are also accused of failing to take Davis’ threats of killing someone seriously.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Considering this poor return (scoring points was a key target in demoting Doohan for Colapinto), Briatore acknowledged during the Dutch GP weekend that Alpine may have unnecessarily burdened its young Argentine driver.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Spirit has been looking for ways to slash costs, including furloughing and demoting hundreds more pilots and cutting unprofitable routes.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Be sure to allow 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark, and use a red light if needed in order to avoid ruining your night vision.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Last offseason, the narrative that the Los Angeles Dodgers were ruining baseball was born.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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