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
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
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Because the Chiefs had a surplus of picks to make up for the busts and the semi-busts.
—Sam McDowell March 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Shop it for $27 on Amazon, and more comfy bras for big busts, including the Bali Comfort Revolution Easylite Wireless T-Shirt Bra, from $24.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
In the book Narrative Economics, Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller shows how viral stories, or narratives, spread and drive economic events like booms and busts.
—Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Of those, 15 were busts to some degree.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
After the busts went, er, bust, a rental car company purchased Presidents Park and hired local builder Howard Hankins to help flatten it into a parking lot.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
Throughout its 17 years, bitcoin has been defined by cycles—booms and busts that are sometimes explicable and sometimes not.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
National economies are increasingly moving in sync and responding to the same booms and busts as a result of near-instantaneous communications and interdependent global supply chains.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Although police conduct occasional drug busts, the area remains one of the city’s largest open-air drug markets.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Because the Chiefs had a surplus of picks to make up for the busts and the semi-busts.
—Sam McDowell March 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Shop it for $27 on Amazon, and more comfy bras for big busts, including the Bali Comfort Revolution Easylite Wireless T-Shirt Bra, from $24.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
In the book Narrative Economics, Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller shows how viral stories, or narratives, spread and drive economic events like booms and busts.
—Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Of those, 15 were busts to some degree.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
After the busts went, er, bust, a rental car company purchased Presidents Park and hired local builder Howard Hankins to help flatten it into a parking lot.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
Throughout its 17 years, bitcoin has been defined by cycles—booms and busts that are sometimes explicable and sometimes not.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
National economies are increasingly moving in sync and responding to the same booms and busts as a result of near-instantaneous communications and interdependent global supply chains.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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 blows exchanged were so numerous that The Athletic had to assign Jack Lang to patiently trawl through footage of them all.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The MacBook Neo dealt a series of mighty blows to its budget PC competition, but that Lenovo machine’s Arm processor presented some challenges for the Apple laptop’s iPhone chip.—
Joe Osborne,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oil is lighter than water — that’s why disasters like those caused by the Exxon Valdez tanker and the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig create slicks on the surface.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Priority is given to people living in counties that have been impacted by disasters, and any remaining funds could go to people in other counties.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The mass arrests have swelled detention centers and set ICE off on a national chase for space to warehouse those who have been apprehended.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lang has not commented on the incident or the arrests.—
Mark Crudele,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 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
-
Recycling sports equipment not only keeps it out of landfills, but reduces the need for new equipment to be manufactured, Clarkin said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Being up to date on taxes reduces the amount of penalties and interest that builds from waiting.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Alcohol disrupts a person’s motor skills, which can affect their control of their vehicle.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Motherhood, grief, forgiveness, and love will take over the big screen when Reminders of Him hits theaters on March 13, 2026.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Cuba scored in the bottom half on Yoelkis Guibert’s run-scoring groundout off winner Cal Quantrill, who allowed an unearned run and two hits over five innings.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, though, she’s still possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley, whose voice seizes her body with tiresome frequency.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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