as in broken
forcibly separated into many pieces
a busted headlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also bust
1
as in dismissed
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 ruined
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 broke
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 smacked
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 arrested
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 killed
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busted
Adjective
-
She was discovered near a Dubai road with several injuries, including a broken spine and multiple broken limbs, per the outlet.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025 -
Some situations, like a loose or broken hose, can be fixed relatively easily by the average DIYer, but washing machines also have a series of internal hoses, seals, and fixtures that could need to be tightened, repaired, or replaced by an appliance repair professional.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Just one day earlier, Kohli had been dismissed yet again by Boland after fending outside the off-stump and caught behind the wicket.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
-
This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.—
Lexy Perez,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Believing their beloved team already ruined mock drafting for the next two months, New York Giants fans probably hope for a loss against a Philadelphia Eagles team expected to rest starters Sunday.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Lewis, who read the quarterback perfectly and was initially positioned near the back of the end zone, broke hard toward the area before Maye had finished his delivery.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
-
After news of Lively’s complaint broke, WME dropped Baldoni as a client.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And then the game itself smacked him like Zack Bolduc’s hit that knocked Hall upside down into the Blues bench.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2025
-
She got smacked, but the ball went in.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Listen to this article A man was arrested last week after investigators allegedly found his DNA on a ghost gun that was thrown from a vehicle involved in a police pursuit on Interstate 95 in New Haven in December 2022.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Listen to this article A New York man was arrested on drug charges after police reportedly found a number of cannabis products at a vape shop in Norwalk on Monday.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In England, experts unearthed eight stone balls fired from catapults during Henry III’s siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The Bears offense struggled under coordinator Shane Waldron, so he was fired.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The unidentified person was apprehended after having been booted from the flight before takeoff, Delta said in a statement Thursday.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC News,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Dali was apprehended in Buffalo, New York, while aboard a Greyhound bus trying to cross into Canada.—
Ayesha Ali,
ABC News,
26 Dec. 2024
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.
Cite this Entry
“Busted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busted. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share