1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bankrupting
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 disrupting
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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4
as in hitting
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 arresting
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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6
as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of
I had to bust my butt in order to get the project done on time
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Examples Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
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State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.—
James K. Glassman,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2025 -
Device lifecycle management and repair services will become increasingly important, reducing the amount of technology that ends up in landfills.—
Max Silber,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Protests keep disrupting life in Dhaka, the capital.—
Saif Hasnat Atul Loke,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
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Mass deportations and reductions in legal immigration could lead to significant labor shortages, disrupting productivity and economic stability.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2011, Meester, who was at the height of her Gossip Girl fame, attended the event as a presenter, hitting the stage Garrett Hedlund to give out an award.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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Just hitting a big play, that’s going to get everybody going, get everybody fired up.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s go-to orchestrator during some of the composer’s most creative years, Cullen has translated many of the composer’s most arresting melodies into lush, full-bodied and evocative orchestral music.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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Soon, state troopers began arresting migrants along the southern border, mostly for criminal trespassing on private property.—
Alejandro Serrano,
Austin American-Statesman,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Epic parties to kid-friendly fun Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter.—
Nour Rahal,
Detroit Free Press,
24 Dec. 2024
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Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Allen — who has steadily received more playing time as the season has progressed based on his defense but has also shown flashes offensively and has displayed solid free-throw shooting — played the best of the bunch, scoring nine points in 22 minutes of play and grabbing five rebounds.—
Grant Salsman,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2025
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Edwards delivered in a big way, scoring a career-high 53 points, hitting 10 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
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According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
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Thesaurus Entries Near busting
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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