1
as in blow
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 disaster
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 arrest
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 spree
a bout of prolonged or excessive drinking
a bunch of underage kids having a beer bust while the parents were away for the weekend
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1
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
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2
as in to bankrupt
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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3
as in to disrupt
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 to hit
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
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5
as in to arrest
slang
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the cops busted the revelers for drinking in public
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to wear
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
variants
or busted
as in bankrupt
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bust
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
And last year, when Silicon Valley Bank—favored by startups—was about to go bust, the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Federal Reserve, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, came to its customers’ rescue.
—Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2024
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Dozens of missing children were rescued and eight people arrested following a human trafficking bust in Central Florida earlier this week, according to Florida officials.
—Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, Candace is more determined than ever to finally bust her little brothers, while their pet platypus, Perry, continues to lead a double life as the suave Agent P. on a mission is to thwart evil.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Worth noting: Contains underwire; sizing is by bust, not waist or hips
Finding a one-piece with real support and shaping—especially in true cup sizes—is a game changer, and Boden delivers exactly that.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
And last year, when Silicon Valley Bank—favored by startups—was about to go bust, the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Federal Reserve, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, came to its customers’ rescue.
—Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2024
Verb
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport labeled Barkley as a potential bust candidate for the 2025 NFL season.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Dozens of missing children were rescued and eight people arrested following a human trafficking bust in Central Florida earlier this week, according to Florida officials.
—Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Adjective
Clinton declared in the liner notes, having recently gotten busted with Stone.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, Candace is more determined than ever to finally bust her little brothers, while their pet platypus, Perry, continues to lead a double life as the suave Agent P. on a mission is to thwart evil.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Pang’s departure is a blow to Apple’s AI ambitions and comes amid internal scrutiny of its AI strategy, which has so far failed to match the capabilities fielded by rival tech companies, leaving Apple dependent on third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
The news was not only a blow to Lilly but also a surprise to millions using Zepbound on Caremark plans, who are now questioning how to move forward.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
As someone takes on roles that have elements of power associated with it, that can be a recipe for disaster.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The toxic combination led rebel Republican Sen. Thom Tillis to denounce it as a political disaster.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Ding was informed of his arrest at the scene but not immediately taken to jail, the lawsuit says.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
At the time of his arrest, Kohberger was 28 years old and had recently wrapped his first semester as a Ph.D criminology student at Washington State University's Pullman campus, a roughly 15-minute drive from Moscow.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
In 2014, Rodger killed six people in a stabbing and shooting spree in Isla Vista, California, before turning the gun on himself.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
Retail investors remain on a buying spree, while big Wall Street players such as hedge funds have been sitting it out throughout this year’s market turmoil, according to JPMorgan data.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
This, together with a higher standard deduction, reduced the number of taxpayers who itemize deductions.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Similar civil lawsuits against white supremacist and far-right groups have been successful in the past, in some cases bankrupting them with steep financial penalties.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
That has been exacerbated by the attacks from the right on the signature piece of Trump’s legislation, a tax and spending package that figures like Elon Musk have argued would bankrupt the federal government.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
The industry’s year of strikes in 2023 also disrupted the flow of Hollywood movie releases to the local multiplex.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
-
Frequent use can disrupt normal bowel function and lead to laxative dependence or chronic constipation.7 Only use castor oil under medical guidance.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The Padres took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a one-out single, moved to third on a single by Luis Arraez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Machado.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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While hitting 350 homers is a feat in itself, Judge reached the mark more quickly than former slugger Mark McGwire.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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