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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busting
His appearances on Kill Tony, a podcast hosted by the comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, helped raise his profile; the show has achieved both a huge listenership and notoriety for its crude, taboo-busting sensibility.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
By emphasizing the caper aspect and the goofy comedy of all this over the intricate plotting that is a hallmark of Westlake’s novels, Black lowers the stakes of a heist that involves halting a speeding NY subway refuse train and busting into a supposedly impenetrable Brooklyn vault.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque just busting to get out from under its hood, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale sporty SUV needs an infusion of theatricality.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Despite 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque just busting to get out from under its hood, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale sporty SUV needs an infusion of theatricality.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Experts caution against overestimating tariffs’ deficit-busting powers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
My next run was a 5-mile jaunt along the Petit Balcon Sud, a shady trail that, after a short, lung-busting climb, meanders along a ridge just above Chamonix, offering views of the towering Mont Blanc Massif and the towns in the valley below.
—Will Porter, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
Downtrodden ultra-nerd janitor Melvin Ferd (Mark Torgl) takes a tumble into a massive vat of nuclear waste and becomes the titular crime-busting monster (Mitch Cohen) — part Superman, part Swamp Thing, completely toxic.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2025
From amazing wings to a gut-busting musical and a brilliant Stephen King adaptation, there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
By emphasizing the caper aspect and the goofy comedy of all this over the intricate plotting that is a hallmark of Westlake’s novels, Black lowers the stakes of a heist that involves halting a speeding NY subway refuse train and busting into a supposedly impenetrable Brooklyn vault.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque just busting to get out from under its hood, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale sporty SUV needs an infusion of theatricality.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Despite 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque just busting to get out from under its hood, the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale sporty SUV needs an infusion of theatricality.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Experts caution against overestimating tariffs’ deficit-busting powers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
My next run was a 5-mile jaunt along the Petit Balcon Sud, a shady trail that, after a short, lung-busting climb, meanders along a ridge just above Chamonix, offering views of the towering Mont Blanc Massif and the towns in the valley below.
—Will Porter, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
Downtrodden ultra-nerd janitor Melvin Ferd (Mark Torgl) takes a tumble into a massive vat of nuclear waste and becomes the titular crime-busting monster (Mitch Cohen) — part Superman, part Swamp Thing, completely toxic.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2025
From amazing wings to a gut-busting musical and a brilliant Stephen King adaptation, there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
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The findings have led to the development of potential medical treatments that scientists hope could cure autoimmune diseases, the committee said, as well as providing more effective cancer treatments and reducing complications after stem cell and organ transplants.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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Research has shown the benefits of exercise in mitigating the effects of aging by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
6 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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Ride-hailing giants Uber and Bolt are disrupting Kenya’s lucrative safari market with new services that are driving fears of price cuts among traditional tour operators.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a similar direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform, in 2022 with the goal of disrupting the health care industry.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball at hitting changeups from lefties like Sánchez.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In addition to arresting musicians, Russian authorities have designated many of them as foreign agents, including Noize MC, who left Russia soon after the war broke out.—
Anna Nemtsova,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
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Sophia Loren has long captivated audiences with her regal beauty and arresting onscreen presence.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
Architectural Digest,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The emergency services Loeb was hearing were headed to the nearby Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where an assailant rammed a car into people before stabbing several members of the community, killing two.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 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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Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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Car designers love them for not ruining the lines of the door with the necessities of real life, but is the benefit from drag reduction worth the safety risk?—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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