1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a bust to the boxer's chops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disasters
something that has failed
the first movie was a hit, but the sequel was an unexpected bust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrests
slang
the act of taking or holding under one's control by authority of law
those lowlifes were nabbed for drug dealing in a massive bust last month
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sprees
a bout of prolonged or excessive drinking
a bunch of underage kids having a beer bust while the parents were away for the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in reduces
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bankrupts
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 disrupts
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 hits
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 seizes
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 wears
to use up all the physical energy of
I had to bust my butt in order to get the project done on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busts
Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Since its debut, Rene has starred on Tracker as Reenie Greene, an attorney whose legal know-how comes in handy as Colter busts bad guys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
There were African masks and classical bronze busts, a vintage foosball table, and an impressive assortment of orange Hermès boxes, which Saft purchased for twelve hundred dollars in Palm Springs and uses to pep up closets at his fancier properties.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Communication busts aside, teams have attacked the middle of the field in the passing game against Denver, and Singleton has surrendered the second-most receiving yards in coverage of any linebacker in the league, according to Next Gen Stats.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Because the bookshelves were adorned with busts of the early Roman emperors, individual volumes were identified by the emperor whose bust stood above them (Julius Caesar was treated as the first emperor and two female figures, Cleopatra and the empress Faustina, were also included).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Solomon said the massive amounts of spending weren’t fundamentally different from other booms and busts.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Other experts like British technology entrepreneur Azeem Azhar have compared the current capex boom to past busts.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The work was crafted from a mold for making busts of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII (1122–1218) and is the third iteration in an unofficial series of pieces based on the ruler.
—Aaina Bhargava, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Every so often, Nelson cranks up the salsa music and busts a move, and Nick confesses that his real dream is to be a choreographer.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Rather than rushing the decision, Jere heads into the office to a shockingly chummy Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Denise (Isabella Briggs), who busts his chops about the wedding’s yacht formal dress code.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Amanda Rollins busts a move to the theme song below.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Still, the busts that were prevalent against the Texans were kept to a minimum Sunday.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Since its debut, Rene has starred on Tracker as Reenie Greene, an attorney whose legal know-how comes in handy as Colter busts bad guys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
There were African masks and classical bronze busts, a vintage foosball table, and an impressive assortment of orange Hermès boxes, which Saft purchased for twelve hundred dollars in Palm Springs and uses to pep up closets at his fancier properties.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Communication busts aside, teams have attacked the middle of the field in the passing game against Denver, and Singleton has surrendered the second-most receiving yards in coverage of any linebacker in the league, according to Next Gen Stats.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Because the bookshelves were adorned with busts of the early Roman emperors, individual volumes were identified by the emperor whose bust stood above them (Julius Caesar was treated as the first emperor and two female figures, Cleopatra and the empress Faustina, were also included).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Solomon said the massive amounts of spending weren’t fundamentally different from other booms and busts.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Other experts like British technology entrepreneur Azeem Azhar have compared the current capex boom to past busts.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The work was crafted from a mold for making busts of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII (1122–1218) and is the third iteration in an unofficial series of pieces based on the ruler.
—Aaina Bhargava, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
This is the kind of guy who kicks down a door and busts somebody’s kidney with a crowbar.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Every so often, Nelson cranks up the salsa music and busts a move, and Nick confesses that his real dream is to be a choreographer.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Rather than rushing the decision, Jere heads into the office to a shockingly chummy Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Denise (Isabella Briggs), who busts his chops about the wedding’s yacht formal dress code.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Amanda Rollins busts a move to the theme song below.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busts
Noun
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Richard Westenberger, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Carter’s, said tariffs are delivering blows to the business, which has caused the company to hike its prices and decrease its discounting efforts.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The findings offer a new perspective on one of history’s most famous military disasters.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Its experts worked hard to prepare for a variety of disasters, such as a freak weather event, a terrorist attack, or an airplane accidentally crashing into a reactor.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the filing, the group alleges that Wisconsin law doesn't allow officers to make civil arrests except in certain circumstances that do not apply to civil immigration enforcement.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Prosecutors said additional arrests were anticipated, and one suspect, Cole Williams, remained at large and believed to be in Tehachapi.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Silicon Valley giants announce huge AI spending sprees Silicon Valley giants announced huge AI spending sprees, drawing divergent market reactions — while seeming to ease fears of a major market correction.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Cold water reduces those problems for all your clothes and linens, giving them a longer lifespan.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As artificial intelligence disrupts software and traditional tech cycles, many VCs are being forced to rethink their investment theses.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
His ability to reset the line of scrimmage with power, find the football and then get hands on the ball carrier consistently disrupts opposing game plans.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So many conversations about so many things and for some reason that’s what hits home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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