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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bust
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Two of the four hit, Engram had a mild impact and Greenlaw was a bust.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles officials are worried that taxpayers could be on the hook for budget-busting costs to support the 2028 Olympic Games, if the profit promised by LA28 doesn’t materialize.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Each year, March Madness can leave you with a busted bracket, so give yourself another chance to pick a winner with The Courier Journal's Louisville nachos tournament.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Time will tell if this goes boom, bust, or to the Super Bowl.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026
Two of the four hit, Engram had a mild impact and Greenlaw was a bust.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
If workers organize to push back on lower or unpaid wages, the stage can be set for more repressive measures like union busting.
—Sarah Dadush, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles officials are worried that taxpayers could be on the hook for budget-busting costs to support the 2028 Olympic Games, if the profit promised by LA28 doesn’t materialize.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Back then, touring on a busted bus was the dream.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Each year, March Madness can leave you with a busted bracket, so give yourself another chance to pick a winner with The Courier Journal's Louisville nachos tournament.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Shortly after the five-year anniversary of the killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by a Chicago police officer, the case was poised to move to a high-profile weekslong trial when a Cook County judge dealt a blow to the Toledo family’s case.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Helping cushion the blow of the supply shock, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have used alternative export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
While stationed in Japan, Fryday helped coordinate disaster relief efforts after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
In year three, there were still injuries, and the team was a disaster.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
He has been held without bond since his arrest on April 22.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even before his arrest, there were signs that the Emirates was becoming less tolerant toward major criminals.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That spending spree pulled their 2026 payroll all the way up to 22nd in baseball.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
May her killing spree run forever!—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1994, American teenager Michael Fay was caned at a Singaporean prison for vandalism, a day after his sentence was reduced from six lashes to four in response to an appeal by President Bill Clinton.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has—unfairly—been reduced to an excuse to drink tequila and eat guac.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Among its many distinctions, SPLC is known for bankrupting the Ku Klux Klan.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Over the ensuing decades, with its litigation prowess and ample funds from supporters committed to advancing equality, the SPLC went on to bankrupt numerous notorious white supremacist organizations, including the United Klans of America and the Aryan Nations.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Allen was injured but was not shot during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton, which disrupted one of the highest-profile annual events in the nation’s capital.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Several airlines are offering limited-time fares to help accommodate passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by Spirit’s closure.—
Scott Laird,
Travel + Leisure,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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