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
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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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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
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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
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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His budget-busting tax cuts can be repealed.
—
William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This all builds to a climax as Elizabeth fears that Bogdan may hurt Stephen, busting in on them, only to hear Bogdan’s confession via Stephen’s tape recorder.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Interest among the affluent to travel for tariff-busting shopping sprees has spiked in recent weeks, said Erica Jackowitz, a travel advisor to wealthy clientele.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
But after the myth-busting and icebreakers, something changes.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
However, an Ultra 3 with some wrist-busting dimensions is reportedly in the works for this year.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Obviously everybody in the world was busting my chops about the (introductory) press conference.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Broccoli beef Who says all stadium food has to be belt-busting?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
That’s why Republicans passed their deficit busting billionaire bailout budget in the dead of night.
—Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This all builds to a climax as Elizabeth fears that Bogdan may hurt Stephen, busting in on them, only to hear Bogdan’s confession via Stephen’s tape recorder.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Interest among the affluent to travel for tariff-busting shopping sprees has spiked in recent weeks, said Erica Jackowitz, a travel advisor to wealthy clientele.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
But after the myth-busting and icebreakers, something changes.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
However, an Ultra 3 with some wrist-busting dimensions is reportedly in the works for this year.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Obviously everybody in the world was busting my chops about the (introductory) press conference.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Broccoli beef Who says all stadium food has to be belt-busting?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
That’s why Republicans passed their deficit busting billionaire bailout budget in the dead of night.
—Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
-
The move is meant to help people start recovering quickly while reducing financial stress on property owners, City Administrator Jim Archambo told members of the council.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Other lifestyle changes—like exercising, eating whole foods, and reducing stress—can help lower your blood pressure.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Analysts, however, worry if the licenses will be approved fast enough to avoid disrupting operations abroad.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Federal immigration authorities arresting a woman in downtown Los Angeles had their vehicle towed away by a tow truck driver who is accused of filming and laughing as one officer chased after him, according to court documents.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The result is an arresting harmony of elegance and attitude, sculptural and bold, yet anchored in refinement.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The couple is accused of killing their 7-month-old son despite the fact that authorities have yet to find the infant's remains.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After killing Martin, Lawson poured gasoline on the dead man's body and his surroundings before leaving the scene, according to police.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Spirit is furloughing 270 pilots and demoting an additional 140.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lewis Hamilton lost control of his Ferrari and crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix, ruining a chance to nab a good haul of points.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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Thanks, man, for ruining an almost-letter-perfect red-carpet walk.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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