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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of busts
Ben Weiss, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Portrait busts and diminutive figures—some barely bigger than a pin—served as vectors of constructive uncertainty.
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
But those Dolphins draft busts simply weren’t good players.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Booms and busts mark the history of the 110-year-old company.
—John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
During one of the drug busts in the Bronx, officials said an NYPD narcotics detection dog named Mulk displayed symptoms of fentanyl exposure.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
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
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
Multicoin, especially, has been at the whims of crypto’s booms and busts.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Portrait busts and diminutive figures—some barely bigger than a pin—served as vectors of constructive uncertainty.
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
But those Dolphins draft busts simply weren’t good players.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Booms and busts mark the history of the 110-year-old company.
—John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
During one of the drug busts in the Bronx, officials said an NYPD narcotics detection dog named Mulk displayed symptoms of fentanyl exposure.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
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
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 event felt like a throwback to the glitzy, lavish Hollywood premieres that used to take over the town every weekend, but have become scarce since the film business suffered a series of blows that have led to lots of belt-tightening.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Senate’s quick passage of the 10-day patch was starkly different than the House’s rare overnight session, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dealt two consecutive blows.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Five worst nuclear reactor disasters 1.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Abrecht said that some ways, the organizations running the alliance were in a strong position to face the deluge of arrests that came from Midway Blitz.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The decision comes as journalist Zied El-Heni was placed under 48-hour detention over a Facebook post, amid a broader pattern of arrests and legal pressure targeting critics.—
Ghaya ben Mbarek,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 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
-
Animal advocates have long pushed the city to legalize TNR, saying the practice reduces unwarranted litters, euthanasia and shelter intake while improving the health of feral cats.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There’s also a sliding divider that provides a privacy barrier from the aisle and, according to the manufacturer, reduces noise from the galley and bathroom.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 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
-
Crude oil also disrupts animals’ nervous systems, Grosell added, impairing their senses and ability to navigate, process input, and properly orient themselves in their environment.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Cornstarch disrupts the scent trails ants use to navigate.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Michael hits theaters and Imax on Friday and stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his feature debut as the pop music icon.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Rico Nasty’s acting debut hits close to home.—
Alex Gonzalez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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