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
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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
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 May 2026
Veiled sculptures and busts grew in popularity and fascination during this time period.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
The Kings drafted Pervis Ellison, who is widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 3 May 2026
Previous mid-round picks Joe Williams, Trey Sermon and Tyrion Davis-Price turned out to be busts, and 2024-fourth-rounder Isaac Guerendo is a long shot to make the roster next season.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Apr. 2026
And some late-round picks offset first-round busts.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Nate Davis lists the 50(-ish) biggest draft busts of the last 50 years.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The history of the 19th-century United States is railway booms followed by railway busts.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 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
Inside, more than 240 antiques and artworks included in the sale—neoclassical busts, paintings, vintage furnishings, and ritual objects—animate its roughly 2,500 square feet.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 May 2026
Veiled sculptures and busts grew in popularity and fascination during this time period.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
The Kings drafted Pervis Ellison, who is widely regarded as one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 3 May 2026
Previous mid-round picks Joe Williams, Trey Sermon and Tyrion Davis-Price turned out to be busts, and 2024-fourth-rounder Isaac Guerendo is a long shot to make the roster next season.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Apr. 2026
And some late-round picks offset first-round busts.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Nate Davis lists the 50(-ish) biggest draft busts of the last 50 years.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The history of the 19th-century United States is railway booms followed by railway busts.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 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
-
The visit also comes as both sides have been trading blows ahead of the summit.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
His saga has been built with blows of faith, discipline and a conviction rarely seen, even at the elite level.—
Jorge Ebro
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Through skill, sacrifice and professionalism, our first responders have narrowly avoided major disasters, including the recent high-rise fire in Towson that could have ended far worse without rapid response and coordination on scene.—
Nick Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
-
That could leave states on the hook for millions of dollars to rebuild roads, schools and other infrastructure after tornadoes, floods and other disasters that do not cause enough widespread damage to meet the new criteria for federal assistance.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Disgraced former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor led the investigation into the murder, conducting interviews, making arrests, and more.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
In Orlando, around 1,000 teenagers showed up to the Icon Park area on a Saturday night last month, spurring fights and a substantial police response that led to nine arrests on charges including battery on an officer, resisting arrest and trespassing.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Sam knows the shame Hally has suffered from his father’s drunken sprees.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In general, her scoring sprees feel more sustainable and less like streaky bursts of shooting.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Congress should invest in technology, innovation and infrastructure that reduces wildfire risk, protects water supply and develops cleaner energy that works for California families.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Also, reusing local rubble reduces the carbon emissions from transporting heavy sand and gravel across long distances.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The 2020s have been a decade of compounding American institutional failure — a pandemic, political rupture, an affordability crisis, student loan servicers treated as adversaries, a healthcare system that bankrupts the sick, and a growing sense that the system is not working as advertised.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Experts warn that the war in Iran and the resulting fuel shocks can strain funding and disrupts field operations, hindering global conservation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dyslexia is a learning difference that disrupts how the brain processes written language.—
Ann Bullock,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gagen, who hits left-handed, started the season setting but moved to full-time hitting.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Jackson’s hits compilation Number Ones is at Number 13, the Michael soundtrack is at Number 37, and The Essential Michael Jackson is at Number 158.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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