1
as in blows
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 disasters
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 arrests
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 sprees
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 reduces
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 bankrupts
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 disrupts
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 hits
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 seizes
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 wears
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busts
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The latter is tough to find because most bras that are tailored to those with large busts have intricate straps and hardware to provide support, which results in a stiff, uncomfortable, and restrictive fit.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
National economies are increasingly moving in sync and responding to the same booms and busts as a result of near-instantaneous communications and interdependent global supply chains.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Guests could experience the NFL Museum to explore the evolution of the league and see trophies, Hall of Fame busts, crystal team helmets and historic shoes and jerseys.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s certainly not lost on Hoover, now, that Lock’s developed for years behind two starting quarterbacks — Smith and Darnold — once labeled as busts in a massive New York market.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
However, Colombia has announced several major drug busts recently.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
South Florida may be known for busts and booms, but Key West is on a remarkable and consistent 15-year run among tourists.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
This is the kind of guy who kicks down a door and busts somebody’s kidney with a crowbar.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Rather than rushing the decision, Jere heads into the office to a shockingly chummy Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Denise (Isabella Briggs), who busts his chops about the wedding’s yacht formal dress code.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Amanda Rollins busts a move to the theme song below.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Throughout its 17 years, bitcoin has been defined by cycles—booms and busts that are sometimes explicable and sometimes not.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The latter is tough to find because most bras that are tailored to those with large busts have intricate straps and hardware to provide support, which results in a stiff, uncomfortable, and restrictive fit.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
National economies are increasingly moving in sync and responding to the same booms and busts as a result of near-instantaneous communications and interdependent global supply chains.
—Josh Ederington, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Guests could experience the NFL Museum to explore the evolution of the league and see trophies, Hall of Fame busts, crystal team helmets and historic shoes and jerseys.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated February 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
It’s certainly not lost on Hoover, now, that Lock’s developed for years behind two starting quarterbacks — Smith and Darnold — once labeled as busts in a massive New York market.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
However, Colombia has announced several major drug busts recently.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
South Florida may be known for busts and booms, but Key West is on a remarkable and consistent 15-year run among tourists.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bianca busts them despite Luc’s best efforts.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
This is the kind of guy who kicks down a door and busts somebody’s kidney with a crowbar.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Rather than rushing the decision, Jere heads into the office to a shockingly chummy Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Denise (Isabella Briggs), who busts his chops about the wedding’s yacht formal dress code.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Amanda Rollins busts a move to the theme song below.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busts
Noun
-
Cheap drinks soften emotional blows.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But researchers worry that repeated, less dramatic blows, such as heading the ball, can also have long-term effects; there is evidence that players who regularly head the ball are at greater risk of dementia than those, such as goalkeepers, who do not.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will resume staff cuts that were briefly paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, stoking concern across the agency over its ability to address disasters with fewer workers.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
But bill supporters say more work needs to be done to protect communities from any more railway disasters.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Authorities have not confirmed any arrests of suspects in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So far, federal prosecutors in Minnesota have convicted 62 people in connection to the scandal, which tops the list of the nation's most costly COVID-era fraud sprees.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
And already he’s produced a handful of historically significant scoring sprees, including joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player to score 200 or more points through the first five games of a season.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By leveraging light to enhance oxygen electrochemistry, the approach reduces energy losses and extends device lifetime without relying on precious metals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The hostage standoff ultimately reduces both men into victims, revealing where power really lies.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recent weather extremes in the South and East are examples of what global warming can cause — a warmer Arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and pushes cold weather and snow farther south.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Bad Bunny disrupts this pattern by refusing separation between cultural celebration and political truth.—
Dr. Carlos A Torre,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Quince's version is made with 24 percent spandex for extra stretch and features a high-cut leg that hits just right to cinch your waist.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Witherspoon was one of the Seahawks’ stars of the game with a sack and two QB hits, one of which led to an interception from Patriots QB Drake Maye.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iran seizes 2 ships on smuggling claims DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Leavitt turns the tables on media outrage as FBI seizes Fulton election documents.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Busts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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