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
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
The latter is tough to find because most bras that are tailored to those with large busts have intricate straps and hardware to provide support, which results in a stiff, uncomfortable, and restrictive fit.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 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
Guests could experience the NFL Museum to explore the evolution of the league and see trophies, Hall of Fame busts, crystal team helmets and historic shoes and jerseys.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s certainly not lost on Hoover, now, that Lock’s developed for years behind two starting quarterbacks — Smith and Darnold — once labeled as busts in a massive New York market.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 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
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
The latter is tough to find because most bras that are tailored to those with large busts have intricate straps and hardware to provide support, which results in a stiff, uncomfortable, and restrictive fit.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 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
Guests could experience the NFL Museum to explore the evolution of the league and see trophies, Hall of Fame busts, crystal team helmets and historic shoes and jerseys.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s certainly not lost on Hoover, now, that Lock’s developed for years behind two starting quarterbacks — Smith and Darnold — once labeled as busts in a massive New York market.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 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
-
In the first half, both teams traded blows, with the largest lead being seven by the Bulldogs.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
He is seen performing first aid, administering back blows to the infant to remove the blockage.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 2024, the country experienced 27 separate billion-dollar disasters, totaling roughly $183 billion, up from nearly $93 billion the year before.—
Yoca Arditi-Rocha,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This designation places the mission on the same official level of seriousness as the fatal Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2023) shuttle disasters.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As arrests continued to ramp up — often seemingly prompted by little more than a person’s accent or skin color — fear grew among Twin Cities immigrant communities.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Turkey arrests journalist on insult claim ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities on Friday formally arrested investigative journalist Alican Uludag, charging him with insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a series of social media posts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
And already he’s produced a handful of historically significant scoring sprees, including joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player to score 200 or more points through the first five games of a season.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This abundance reduces material costs and supply chain risks.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Removing whey from yogurt reduces the amount of carbs and sugar and concentrates more protein per ounce as a result.—
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recent weather extremes in the South and East are examples of what global warming can cause — a warmer Arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and pushes cold weather and snow farther south.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Bad Bunny disrupts this pattern by refusing separation between cultural celebration and political truth.—
Dr. Carlos A Torre,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The firefall is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the setting sunlight perfectly hits Horsetail Fall, a waterfall on El Capitan, turning the falls into a brilliant cascade of liquid fire.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some schools in northern Minnesota have announced closures and delays on Wednesday as a winter storm hits the area.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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