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
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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
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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
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Others quickly sided with Simmons, questioning how Boozer’s game will translate at the next level and even labeling him a potential bust in the 2026 NBA Draft.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Those are the stories that entrance and often delight a nation, even as brackets are busted from coast to coast.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The break-in left Perakis to deal with a busted window and a mess inside.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Because this is a championship-or-bust season, and the Knicks haven’t consistently looked the part against teams their own caliber.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Others quickly sided with Simmons, questioning how Boozer’s game will translate at the next level and even labeling him a potential bust in the 2026 NBA Draft.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is busting budgets across the state.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Those are the stories that entrance and often delight a nation, even as brackets are busted from coast to coast.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Three Panthers players in Bennett, Marchand and Reinhart look to aid Canada in its gold-or-bust journey.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The break-in left Perakis to deal with a busted window and a mess inside.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Israeli military later said raw materials are processed for enrichment at the Yazd plant and the strike was a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hefty extra wattage is apparently needed to keep the Mar-a-Lago lights on in the event of an unforeseen disaster such as a war, or flying sports court glass, or a late ketchup delivery.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Only instead of the flood of a players’ strike, this time the disaster will come cloaked in the fire of an owners’ lockout.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, previously told Reuters that his father's arrest about a year ago was due to a misunderstanding with police officers.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cervone's arrest came just one week after civics teacher Martin Gatti, 50, was charged with similar offenses and was later fired.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then, in the summer transfer window, the club went on their largest spree ever, spending over £400million in fees, moves which naturally engendered sizeable salaries for the players signed.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Trader Joe’s has been on an expansion spree.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Protective styles like low buns or braids can also reduce frizz throughout the day.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In her tenure, Colorado has taken major steps to increase price transparency, reduce hospital and prescription drug costs, and hold the health care industry accountable.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Nazis made 350 million pounds’ worth of counterfeit currency to try and bankrupt and flood the British economy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Crumbs went from a Nasdaq darling to bankrupt in three years.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Houthis have previously attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea to disrupt the flow of oil, gas and other commodities through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Gas prices have surged past $4 per gallon for the first time in more than three years on Tuesday, according to data from GasBuddy, as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global oil supplies.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crow-Armstrong had support from his team during Friday’s news conference, where first baseman Michael Busch, manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Dustin Kelly, assistant hitting coach John Mallee and staff assistant AJ Lewis took in the scene.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Alcantara left the mound with a lead, courtesy of the bottom of Miami’s lineup stringing together hits in the second.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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