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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in drunks
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of 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
After the busts, agents sent the drugs to the lab for testing.
—Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Their ivory piping mimicked ancient Greek architecture, and featured edible seashells, pearls and busts.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Reeve was able to rebuild a championship-level contender around Collier, an MVP contender this season, and a group of veteran players who aren’t likely to someday have busts next to Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Leaving the three representatives, Quent, and even Demerzel absolutely shaken to their core, Dusk visits the hall of holographic busts of Cleons’ past.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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
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
After the busts, agents sent the drugs to the lab for testing.
—Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Their ivory piping mimicked ancient Greek architecture, and featured edible seashells, pearls and busts.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Reeve was able to rebuild a championship-level contender around Collier, an MVP contender this season, and a group of veteran players who aren’t likely to someday have busts next to Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Leaving the three representatives, Quent, and even Demerzel absolutely shaken to their core, Dusk visits the hall of holographic busts of Cleons’ past.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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
-
Hockey players aren’t known for being shy about fighting over different plays on the ice, but Wayne Gretzky and his current compatriots have learned not to come to blows.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Rancorous debate in the GOTW meeting room as the panel nearly came to blows, with Broncos-Eagles supporters threatening a walkout as Bucs-Seahawks advocates were kicking over chairs.—
Greg Cote
October 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The difference, however, is that in wealthier nations, these kinds of disasters often trigger investment in storm drains, soil stabilization or relocation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Demonstrations this week grew increasingly tense at ICE facilities in Portland and near Chicago, resulting in arrests at both sites.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The private security officers can now enforce laws and make arrests along the entire rail trail, sidewalks surrounding transit centers and other areas adjacent to transit property.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This coating reduces absorbency, causes discoloration, and can trap bacteria and odors.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
This robot vacuum reduces daily chores, keeping floors clean of dirt, dust, and pet hair with minimal effort.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On play one, Moore reads the tight end throwback pass and disrupts the catch (or else the tight end might still be running).—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Your second step should be to determine how high flood water is likely to rise in your area if a storm hits.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the fashion week cycle continues, celebrity beauty hits an all-time high.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Continue reading … DRUG WAR VICTORY – Task force seizes enough cocaine 'to kill every American' in record efforts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Against her will, Fadia becomes trapped in an asylum while her cousin seizes her inheritance, depriving her of even her right to grieve.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Still heartbroken years after the split, Richard wears his anger and pain on his sleeve, but his only goal in life is to keep his daughter safe.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Her design uses the Union Jack for the lining that Yasmin Le Bon wears in the campaign with a Breton T-shirt, white trousers and riding boots.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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