1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a bust to the boxer's chops
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2
as in disasters
something that has failed
the first movie was a hit, but the sequel was an unexpected bust
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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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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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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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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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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
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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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.
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