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
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1
as in reduces
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
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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
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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
Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The cancellations come as California farmers face not only the yearly booms and busts of crops, but also uncertainty about the future of their family farms.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
It’s called the greater fool theory, and it’s contributed to countless booms, busts, and lost fortunes.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The property was a dream event space, featuring multiple garden areas suitable for the ceremony and meals, and statues and busts sprinkled throughout.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DOUBLE ENFORCEMENT — ICE busts MS-13 gang member and child predators while helping TSA out.
—FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The announcement by Foley’s office comes amid a series of SNAP and public benefits fraud busts across the state.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
But this brother comes into town and just busts you on all of your reinvention.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
For the Hall of Fame section, the museum celebrates 49ers legends with busts, stories, and artifacts tied to specific players.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, Jamie busts through the house to Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) surgical room and gently places Amy on the table.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Bianca busts them despite Luc’s best efforts.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
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
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
Bad Bunny busts records for fun.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
Economic history is a story of booms and busts.
—Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The cancellations come as California farmers face not only the yearly booms and busts of crops, but also uncertainty about the future of their family farms.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
It’s called the greater fool theory, and it’s contributed to countless booms, busts, and lost fortunes.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The property was a dream event space, featuring multiple garden areas suitable for the ceremony and meals, and statues and busts sprinkled throughout.
—Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … DOUBLE ENFORCEMENT — ICE busts MS-13 gang member and child predators while helping TSA out.
—FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The announcement by Foley’s office comes amid a series of SNAP and public benefits fraud busts across the state.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
But this brother comes into town and just busts you on all of your reinvention.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
For the Hall of Fame section, the museum celebrates 49ers legends with busts, stories, and artifacts tied to specific players.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Who doesn’t get fired up when the coach busts a move, right?
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, Jamie busts through the house to Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) surgical room and gently places Amy on the table.
—Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Bianca busts them despite Luc’s best efforts.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
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
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
Bad Bunny busts records for fun.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busts
Noun
-
But outside of these rare exceptions, Mario’s pugilism was quickly retired in lieu of hammer hits and kid-friendly blows.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As a new generation of commanders rises within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following recent military blows under Operation Epic Fury, analysts warn that this ideology may become even more entrenched.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trump has expressed a desire to push more responsibility for disasters down to states.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
His boldest innovation is to invoke not past glories but past disasters, summoning the ghosts of the United States’ catastrophic interventions in Iraq.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Law enforcement also hasn't disclosed whether any arrests have been made.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Since the law took effect, the city says enforcement has led to 179 citations and 15 arrests.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In general, her scoring sprees feel more sustainable and less like streaky bursts of shooting.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
So far, federal prosecutors in Minnesota have convicted 62 people in connection to the scandal, which tops the list of the nation's most costly COVID-era fraud sprees.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Acidification reduces the pH of seawater, which also diminishes sound absorption, so the stain of ship’s engine noise spreads further, muffling the songs of humpbacks and the codas of sperm whales.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Each option reduces overall productivity, cutting supplies of basic foods, feed for livestock and key ingredients used in a wide range of food products.—
Aya S. Chacar,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Airlines around the world have been grappling with volatile oil markets as fighting near the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global supplies.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Spilling kills ocean wildlife, fouls beaches and disrupts coastal economies.—
Kristen Monsell,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Kane had two doubles, two of only three Bishop Moore hits.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Like any well-meaning grifter, Anna (Halle Bailey) seizes the opportunity to hop a flight to picturesque Tuscany after meeting a handsome Italian stranger with an empty villa.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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