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
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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
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
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
Rob Maaddi, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
The building will soon undergo renovations scheduled to complete in 2026, after which the portrait will take up a permanent residence next to a bust of Davidge.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2025
John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025
The secondary badly busted a coverage, and Johnston ran wide open into the deep part of the field.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Worth noting: Contains underwire; sizing is by bust, not waist or hips
Finding a one-piece with real support and shaping—especially in true cup sizes—is a game changer, and Boden delivers exactly that.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 6 June 2025
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
Verb
Sterling Sharpe stood at the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother.
—Rob Maaddi, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
The building will soon undergo renovations scheduled to complete in 2026, after which the portrait will take up a permanent residence next to a bust of Davidge.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Gonzalez remained free as leaders of the gang stood trial for racketeering and murder last year, only to be busted on June 5.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025
The secondary badly busted a coverage, and Johnston ran wide open into the deep part of the field.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
The decline threatens to push record beef prices even higher, with tariffs limiting importers’ ability to soften the blow.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The expiration of the enhanced subsidies will also deal a major blow to Covered Connecticut, a program that provides no-cost exchange plans to residents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still earn 175% or less than the federal poverty level.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
During times of year when there are fewer weather disasters, the agency receives fewer calls and can choose to spend less money staffing call centers.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
-
When a data disaster occurs, many IT professionals and system administrators focus on selecting powerful data recovery software or hiring professional services.—
Chongwei Chen,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Morales, barred from running due to term limits and facing an arrest warrant on statutory rape charges, urged supporters to cast null ballots in protest.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Fisher was in custody in Iowa on unrelated charges when he was served an arrest warrant.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Nevertheless, Henley would end up entangled in the spree of crimes that Corll was secretly committing.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Artificial intelligence startups have minted dozens of new billionaires this year, adding to an AI boom that’s quickly becoming the largest wealth creation spree in recent history.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Work Ethic Camp was opened in 2001 and initially designed to reduce prison overcrowding, according to a Nebraska legislative report, providing the incarcerated with life skills training, substance abuse treatment and work experience.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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The bacterium, residing harmlessly in the guts of laboratory and fetal mice, reduced accumulation of mercury, the researchers said.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Jerry Garcia's 1977 pet project, which nearly bankrupted the band, screens in IMAX this weekend.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The co-founder of a Florida nonprofit bankrupted the organization by stealing more than $100 million from trust funds belonging to people with disabilities and special needs, creating financial hardship for many, federal prosecutors said.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Indiana Democrats lack the ability to break quorum and disrupt legislative processes, like their counterparts in Texas are currently doing, Pierce told anchor Kate Bolduan.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
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Over time, that idea grew into a global platform that disrupted the hotel business and connects millions of travelers with unique places to stay.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Gordon, hitting holes hard with his physical running style, sparked the run game in the second half.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Obeid said his own home was hit and demolished by a bombing just one week into the conflict.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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