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 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
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
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Recent Examples of busts
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
On theoretical grounds, on moral grounds, on real world grounds, socialism, communism and Marxism are total busts.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Still, the busts that were prevalent against the Texans were kept to a minimum Sunday.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Since its debut, Rene has starred on Tracker as Reenie Greene, an attorney whose legal know-how comes in handy as Colter busts bad guys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
There were African masks and classical bronze busts, a vintage foosball table, and an impressive assortment of orange Hermès boxes, which Saft purchased for twelve hundred dollars in Palm Springs and uses to pep up closets at his fancier properties.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Communication busts aside, teams have attacked the middle of the field in the passing game against Denver, and Singleton has surrendered the second-most receiving yards in coverage of any linebacker in the league, according to Next Gen Stats.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Because the bookshelves were adorned with busts of the early Roman emperors, individual volumes were identified by the emperor whose bust stood above them (Julius Caesar was treated as the first emperor and two female figures, Cleopatra and the empress Faustina, were also included).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Solomon said the massive amounts of spending weren’t fundamentally different from other booms and busts.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 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
Land is a unique asset, at the center of booms and busts since Babylon, and will be here long after Meta or Microsoft or Google try to wriggle out of their data-center leases, should the AI buildout prove to be overdone.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
On theoretical grounds, on moral grounds, on real world grounds, socialism, communism and Marxism are total busts.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Still, the busts that were prevalent against the Texans were kept to a minimum Sunday.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Since its debut, Rene has starred on Tracker as Reenie Greene, an attorney whose legal know-how comes in handy as Colter busts bad guys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
There were African masks and classical bronze busts, a vintage foosball table, and an impressive assortment of orange Hermès boxes, which Saft purchased for twelve hundred dollars in Palm Springs and uses to pep up closets at his fancier properties.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Communication busts aside, teams have attacked the middle of the field in the passing game against Denver, and Singleton has surrendered the second-most receiving yards in coverage of any linebacker in the league, according to Next Gen Stats.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
Because the bookshelves were adorned with busts of the early Roman emperors, individual volumes were identified by the emperor whose bust stood above them (Julius Caesar was treated as the first emperor and two female figures, Cleopatra and the empress Faustina, were also included).
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Solomon said the massive amounts of spending weren’t fundamentally different from other booms and busts.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 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
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Excluding disasters, sudden surges of this magnitude in requests for food or any other need are rare at 211s, and can signal both public worry and need, as happened in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Matthew W. Kreuter,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
But Kalmaegi also collapsed flood-control infrastructure in the province that was ostensibly meant to protect citizens in such disasters.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the filing, the group alleges that Wisconsin law doesn't allow officers to make civil arrests except in certain circumstances that do not apply to civil immigration enforcement.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Prosecutors said additional arrests were anticipated, and one suspect, Cole Williams, remained at large and believed to be in Tehachapi.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Silicon Valley giants announce huge AI spending sprees Silicon Valley giants announced huge AI spending sprees, drawing divergent market reactions — while seeming to ease fears of a major market correction.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This enables continuous charging and reduces the need for large onboard batteries.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Schools can request waivers if the rule disrupts pick-ups or drop-offs.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The group also argued that moving people into federal immigration custody while local criminal cases are ongoing disrupts the legal process, potentially depriving victims of justice and defendants the opportunity to defend against charges.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So many conversations about so many things and for some reason that’s what hits home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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