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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to reduce
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
This time the crunch came because spending fueled by the post-pandemic economic recovery was not sustainable when revenue plummeted just a few years later — but the state budget has long gone through similar boom-and-bust cycles.
—Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Despite facing many of the same challenges, Illinois has not responded, playing defense as governments face budget-busting pension debts and long-term obligations.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
Crews spotted busted doors, hallways with no lights on, and puddles of water on the floor.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Madison Beer showed off a sultry look on the red carpet, donning a leek, form-fitting black gown with thin straps, a keyhole cutout at the bust and a trailing train.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
This time the crunch came because spending fueled by the post-pandemic economic recovery was not sustainable when revenue plummeted just a few years later — but the state budget has long gone through similar boom-and-bust cycles.
—Lanhee J. Chen, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
On the other hand, this contrast with prior Fed picks could make Rieder even more attractive to Trump, who is not shy about busting norms.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Despite facing many of the same challenges, Illinois has not responded, playing defense as governments face budget-busting pension debts and long-term obligations.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In the past, there have been boom and bust cycles around technology that Beijing has given strategic importance, such as electric vehicles.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2025
Crews spotted busted doors, hallways with no lights on, and puddles of water on the floor.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Reigns flipped Gunther onto the edge of the ring and went for the knockout blow, but it was countered.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
After being victimized by a pair of Bulls blow-bys in his initial stint, there was no additional stint, with Jovic instead moved up when Adebayo went out.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One compelling example in the education space that Parker-Holder and Rivas described was allowing students to get a sense of what working in different professions might be like, such as assisting in disaster recovery.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The action also authorizes the use of disaster emergency funds and allows the OEM to mobilize state resources, make contracts and awards using emergency procurement procedures and encumber and expend funds as determined by the director of the OEM.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Giuliano told Venezuelan news site TalCual that Saab may make an appearance to refute the arrest allegations himself but was consulting with the government about what had happened.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
At the time, analysts had attributed Baumgertner's arrest to retaliation for Uralkali's decision to pull out of a joint venture.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During 2021, life science investment peaked and speculative developers went on a building spree, but today much of that space sits empty.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The 37-second spree was the fastest three goals in Penguins history and the fastest three allowed by the Oilers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This comes at a time when there has been talk of reducing the number of PGA tournaments on the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The cross-border clearing platform could streamline operations, reducing risks in OTC trades that dominate the market.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The cases are ongoing, with plaintiffs also filing claims against the trusts of companies bankrupted by the litigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The indictment, unsealed in a federal courthouse in New York on Thursday, accuses Patrick James and Edward James of bankrupting First Brands and fraudulently obtaining billions of dollars behind the backs of the company's lenders and financing partners.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both sides say the strike will disrupt hospital operations.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The United States on June 25 launched a new satellite expected to significantly improve forecasts of solar flares and coronal mass ejections — huge plasma bubbles that can crash into Earth, disrupting power grids and communications.—
Sasirekha Subramanian,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Journalist Don Lemon was released from custody Friday after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But of all the spaghetti that got thrown at the wall, this is the one that hits for reasons that are totally orthogonal to politics and sort of Washington.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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