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 drunks
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of busts
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
Other experts like British technology entrepreneur Azeem Azhar have compared the current capex boom to past busts.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The work was crafted from a mold for making busts of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII (1122–1218) and is the third iteration in an unofficial series of pieces based on the ruler.
—Aaina Bhargava, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 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
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
Other experts like British technology entrepreneur Azeem Azhar have compared the current capex boom to past busts.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The work was crafted from a mold for making busts of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII (1122–1218) and is the third iteration in an unofficial series of pieces based on the ruler.
—Aaina Bhargava, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 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
-
Both offenses traded blows, with Brewer receiver Devan Roberts landing the last one.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Tense exchanges and frequent interruptions have marked the evening, as both candidates seek to land decisive blows ahead of Election Day.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Corps website highlights the group's involvement in response to flooding and hurricane disasters in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, as well as rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Researchers expect millions of Americans to relocate from properties facing increasing risks of flood, fire and other kinds of disasters in the years ahead.—
Debolina Banerjee,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kordia, who felt lightheaded, sat on a sidewalk and was swept up in the arrests; she was handcuffed and shuttled by bus to police headquarters, where she was forced to remove her hijab for a search.—
Aida Alami,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The operation also includes officials from more than a dozen federal agencies, including ICE, and has led to more than 800 arrests, according to the Department of Justice.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains some sugar, but fermentation reduces how much your body actually absorbs.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
18 Oct. 2025
-
People who were gestating during the famine grew up to have smaller brains; their kidneys had fewer nephrons, which reduces the organs’ effectiveness.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The change also disrupts our internal systems that drive focus and productivity.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
That’s because, sadly, many bat populations have declined in recent years due to factors including habitat loss, wind turbines, and white nose syndrome (WNS), a devastating fungal disease which disrupts their natural hibernation cycles.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Typically, by the time the first scene hits the screen, handfuls (more likely hordes) of people have had first looks including cast, crew, friends, family, media, agents, managers, publicists, etc.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, in an age where anyone can turn themselves into content or media, self-producing their own persona, this theme hits even deeper than ever.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Still others were envisioning future scenarios where a president illegally seizes power in a coup.—
Ryan Kennedy,
The Conversation,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 3-foot animatronic skeleton wears purple and orange headphones, gloves and sneakers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Leslie Mann is a cool mom who wears even cooler clothes.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share