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
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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
Mother was still in the ambulance with members of the MDA team, still at risk postpartum, as the Iron Dome was busting missiles overhead.
—
Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Article continues below The 2023 book that this series is based on centered around NASA's barrier-busting 1978 class of astronauts, which included Sally Ride.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is busting budgets across the state.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Bracket-busting upsets, Cinderella stories, OT buzzer beaters – March Madness is here!
—Jenna Vinson, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Agents were busting down doors without warrants, and federal prosecutors were being pressured to investigate Good’s partner’s participation in Twin Cities ICE-watch groups.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
However, the dropping of 5,000-poud bunker-busting bombs on the shores of Iran to blow up entrenched mine and missile sites will make a big difference.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
These days just about everyone is bothered by the budget busting costs of gas and groceries.
—David Wade, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Still, the convergence of budget-busting forces is unlikely to bring the rate of inflation anywhere near its peak of more than 9% in the summer of 2022, Schipper added.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Article continues below The 2023 book that this series is based on centered around NASA's barrier-busting 1978 class of astronauts, which included Sally Ride.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is busting budgets across the state.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Bracket-busting upsets, Cinderella stories, OT buzzer beaters – March Madness is here!
—Jenna Vinson, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Agents were busting down doors without warrants, and federal prosecutors were being pressured to investigate Good’s partner’s participation in Twin Cities ICE-watch groups.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
However, the dropping of 5,000-poud bunker-busting bombs on the shores of Iran to blow up entrenched mine and missile sites will make a big difference.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
These days just about everyone is bothered by the budget busting costs of gas and groceries.
—David Wade, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Still, the convergence of budget-busting forces is unlikely to bring the rate of inflation anywhere near its peak of more than 9% in the summer of 2022, Schipper added.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
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One bill focuses on reducing construction costs by updating building codes.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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While these methods remain effective, excessive tilling can break down soil aggregates into smaller particles, reducing soil health and increasing erosion risk.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Analyses show the experiment succeeded at expanding access and controlling costs without bankrupting health systems or pharmaceutical firms.—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
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But the question of how to get landlords to deliver this housing without bankrupting their buildings matters just as much.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Namira lives in East Elmhurst, where several bus stops had recently been removed, disrupting her mother’s commute to Times Square and inspiring her to action.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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Cybersecurity stocks — Shares got hit again as investor fears of AI threatening cyber infrastructure and disrupting cybersecurity companies' business models reappeared.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shannon scored 29 points in the second half, hitting five of seven 3-point shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said Pages has become one of the team’s most regular users of the Trajekt machine – and Skenes is a frequent visitor.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Game warden testifies about arresting Horner Texas Game Warden Josh Espinoza was the first witness to testify on Wednesday morning.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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This granted local police the right to assist immigration officials in arresting and detaining unauthorized immigrants.—
Menika Dirkson,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But last year a single pack was responsible for killing about 100 calves in less than seven months in the high ranchland of Sierra County north of Truckee, costing ranchers and the state millions and terrifying residents.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors, meanwhile, argue that Clancy carefully planned and plotted before allegedly killing her three children by sending her husband out of the house.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Senior officials have discussed promoting Dhillon to one of the top department roles, while demoting Woodward, the sources added.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Absent a lawsuit, which could be lengthy, Johnson’s options for actually removing Pettigrew could be trickier than merely demoting Brewer, however.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And thanks to their merino wool blend—helpful for moisture control and odor resistance—I did’t have to worry about ruining good shoes with gross foot sweat.—
Christa Sgobba,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
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The young Wolverines had already taken their leave with figurative Texas tread marks ruining their silky white, maize and blue uniforms.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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