busting

verb

Definition of bustingnext
present participle of bust
1
as in reducing
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 bankrupting
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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3
as in disrupting
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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4
as in hitting
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

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5
as in arresting
slang to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the cops busted the revelers for drinking in public

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6
as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of I had to bust my butt in order to get the project done on time

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
  1. reducing
  2. disrupting
  3. hitting
  4. arresting
  5. breaking
  6. seizing
  7. grabbing
  8. punching
Verb
  • This approach ensures employees feel included in the process, reducing fear and building trust.
    Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The commissions have until the end of December to come up with recommendations on overhauling institutions such as the police and the judiciary, as well as on reducing corruption and improving public administration.
    Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • Protests keep disrupting life in Dhaka, the capital.
    Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Mass deportations and reductions in legal immigration could lead to significant labor shortages, disrupting productivity and economic stability.
    Solange Charas, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of disrupting
Verb
  • The one team with a young power-hitting first baseman who is still under team control would be the Boston Red Sox, and their 24-year-old first-bagger Triston Casas.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Christmas Eve forecast On Christmas Eve morning, the heaviest snow is hitting upstate New York and northern New England where locally more than 1 foot of snow is possible.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • The train was ordered to stop at the next station, where two transit officers boarded and located the person of interest before arresting him without further incident.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 22 Dec. 2024
  • On May 2, police officers raided and cleared the encampment, arresting more than 200 protesters.
    Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Definition of arresting
Verb
  • Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Epic parties to kid-friendly fun Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter.
    Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of breaking
Verb
  • The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Individuals are seizing opportunities as well.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of seizing
Verb
  • But despite the headline-grabbing incidents, authorities say crime is actually down in New York and on its transit systems.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Dell was visibly hurt after grabbing his knee and not making much movement.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of grabbing
Verb
  • The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
  • According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of punching
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near busting

busters

busting

bustle

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Cite this Entry

“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on busting

Nglish: Translation of busting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of busting for Arabic Speakers

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