bust 1 of 3

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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

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bust

2 of 3

verb

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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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bust

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adjective

variants or busted

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bust
Noun
Located on the grounds of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the garden is designed to celebrate heroes from all walks of life, with statues, busts, and plaques commemorating their immense contributions to the country. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025 But as autumn turned to winter this season, whispers turned into winds: Was Henderson a bust? Jason Quick, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Elsewhere, police just busted a crime ring that was rerouting deliveries of luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, and more. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025 Now what? Burglars who busted through Cherry Creek jeweler’s wall stole $12M in goods Editorial: Stuck behind crashes and spin outs in I-70 ski traffic? Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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 And while those payments crimped Spotify’s profits, and the company has lately struggled to sell stock investors on a convincing growth story, Spotify is also not about to go bust. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
  • Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid announced a huge KO injury blow which Cope - citing anonymous sources - expects to sideline the first team starting player in question for around two months.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Of course, Seidler likely didn’t envision the franchise would lose its local TV partner, dealing a financial blow.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But taking a hostile approach with President Donald Trump now could put federal aid for the disaster at risk.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But what if fossil fuel investments, which have been dragging for a decade, are headed toward disaster?
    Marianne Krasny, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • President Donald Trump claimed Saturday that arrests along the United States' border with Mexico hit a record low of just over 8,300 in February, but official data is yet to be released.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The Department of Justice has said the pipe bomber case remains unsolved and there is a $500,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrator's arrest and conviction.
    Nick McMillan, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • After a 40-bank robbing spree, the saga of South Florida’s most infamous gangsters ended with a midnight police ambush on a bridge over Sebastian Inlet that left Ashley and his cohorts dead.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went on an online thanking spree after dozens of world leaders voiced support for him in the aftermath of his contentious Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The venue renovations have significantly increased hospitality and premium offerings with new pubs, clubs, restaurants and seating, while reducing the number of suites from 70 to 40.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.
    Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gun rights groups, on the other hand, argue that Mexico is trying to bankrupt the American firearms industry and undermine the Second Amendment.
    Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
  • While a loss could bankrupt Greenpeace USA, the group says the message that fossil fuels are heating the climate and hurting people will continue.
    Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Every year, earthquakes claim victims and cost billions in direct economic loss, damaging or destroying homes, tearing down infrastructure, rendering production sites inoperable, and disrupting transport lines.
    David Bressan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), individuals may not block access to sidewalks or buildings, disrupt counterprotests, or engage in speech that is obscene, makes knowingly false statements of fact, or incites immediate violence or dangerous disturbances.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Xiaomi’s shares, which are listed in Hong Kong, hit a record high this week.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The 26-year-old Maleficent star was one of the first to hit the carpet, floating in a white gown that was chosen after a hands-on fitting with Burton, 51, herself.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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