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
For more than two decades, Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler and Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson have been busting perps and fighting crime on NBC's Law & Order franchise.
—
Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
His keen playful writing combines magical realism, genre-busting humor, literary zip—and there are few people better suited to adapting Wilder than Ethan Lipton.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Quentin Tarantino‘s new bladder-busting version of Kill Bill has a trailer and release date.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Then Bradbury had a theory that the young quarterback may have been busting chops with an indirect reference to rookie left tackle Will Campbell, a friend.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
But Gustavsson came through in Saturday’s slump-busting win, stopping 26 of 28 shots.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
These teams combine the boundary-busting power of AI with diverse human expertise to consistently produce breakthrough solutions.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Indulge in a gorgeous beef filet oven-baked with potatoes, mountain herbs, and red chilies after a lung-busting day skiing.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Government blight busting The city of Detroit has demolished tens of thousands of blighted houses over the past 13 or so years under Mayor Mike Duggan and then-mayor Dave Bing.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
His keen playful writing combines magical realism, genre-busting humor, literary zip—and there are few people better suited to adapting Wilder than Ethan Lipton.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Quentin Tarantino‘s new bladder-busting version of Kill Bill has a trailer and release date.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Then Bradbury had a theory that the young quarterback may have been busting chops with an indirect reference to rookie left tackle Will Campbell, a friend.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
But Gustavsson came through in Saturday’s slump-busting win, stopping 26 of 28 shots.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
These teams combine the boundary-busting power of AI with diverse human expertise to consistently produce breakthrough solutions.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Indulge in a gorgeous beef filet oven-baked with potatoes, mountain herbs, and red chilies after a lung-busting day skiing.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Government blight busting The city of Detroit has demolished tens of thousands of blighted houses over the past 13 or so years under Mayor Mike Duggan and then-mayor Dave Bing.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
-
Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The initiative’s foundation addresses the problem of inconsistent and burdensome reporting by engaging the industry to define an optional (and non-exhaustive) questionnaire aimed at strengthening data quality and consistency while significantly reducing the administrative burden on suppliers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
See video … WATCH TOM HOMAN – With a secure border, the US is bankrupting cartels.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In addition to disrupting the students’ routines, parents said the school closure forced them to scramble to make child care arrangements.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And the light from screens can affect your circadian rhythm, disrupting your sleep.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
7 Nov. 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,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The four-day operation focused on identifying and arresting people suspected of using online platforms to prey on children.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The storm was the deadliest typhoon to hit the country this year, killing at least 114 people, with many more reported missing — most in Cebu province, a tourist hotspot.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 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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The Chiefs have seen some of league’s premier running backs — such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs — and have met each challenge, preventing those elite players from ruining the defensive game plan.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
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Clark reiterated his belief that the Dodgers are not ruining baseball.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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