1
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of busting
However, an Ultra 3 with some wrist-busting dimensions is reportedly in the works for this year.
—
Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
And with Albarn’s prolific output, these young fans will be hoping that his new material sounds as fresh as his genre-busting first album.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
His budget-busting tax cuts can be repealed.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This all builds to a climax as Elizabeth fears that Bogdan may hurt Stephen, busting in on them, only to hear Bogdan’s confession via Stephen’s tape recorder.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Interest among the affluent to travel for tariff-busting shopping sprees has spiked in recent weeks, said Erica Jackowitz, a travel advisor to wealthy clientele.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
But after the myth-busting and icebreakers, something changes.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Obviously everybody in the world was busting my chops about the (introductory) press conference.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Broccoli beef Who says all stadium food has to be belt-busting?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
And with Albarn’s prolific output, these young fans will be hoping that his new material sounds as fresh as his genre-busting first album.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
His budget-busting tax cuts can be repealed.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This all builds to a climax as Elizabeth fears that Bogdan may hurt Stephen, busting in on them, only to hear Bogdan’s confession via Stephen’s tape recorder.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Interest among the affluent to travel for tariff-busting shopping sprees has spiked in recent weeks, said Erica Jackowitz, a travel advisor to wealthy clientele.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
But after the myth-busting and icebreakers, something changes.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Obviously everybody in the world was busting my chops about the (introductory) press conference.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Broccoli beef Who says all stadium food has to be belt-busting?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting
Verb
-
The French prime minister was widely expected to lose the motion after failing to win support from political rivals on both the right and left for 2026 budget plans aimed at reducing the country's yawning budget deficit.—
Ganesh Rao,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
At Tufts University, scientists have developed a new drug that aims to boost weight loss while also reducing the nausea, muscle loss and weight regain associated with popular GLP-1 medications.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
See video … WATCH TOM HOMAN – With a secure border, the US is bankrupting cartels.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Analysts, however, worry if the licenses will be approved fast enough to avoid disrupting operations abroad.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Joined later by singer Sarah Cracknell, Saint Etienne crafted catchy and arresting indie alternative dance-pop music that, over time, has incorporated other genres such as folktronica, acid house, ‘60s European pop and ambient.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Federal and immigration agents conducted a massive sweep on the plant in Ellabell, Georgia, arresting 475 people as part of an investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The couple is accused of killing their 7-month-old son despite the fact that authorities have yet to find the infant's remains.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After killing Martin, Lawson poured gasoline on the dead man's body and his surroundings before leaving the scene, according to police.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Spirit has been looking for ways to slash costs, including furloughing and demoting hundreds more pilots and cutting unprofitable routes.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Spirit is furloughing 270 pilots and demoting an additional 140.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And broadcasting your irritation too loudly risks ruining the atmosphere for everyone else just as much as their yelling or off-key chants.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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Just as Alexis Bellino flubbed her second chance by aligning herself too closely with Johnny J, an Ed Hardy snapback that refuses to die, Gretchen is ruining hers by trying to relitigate things from the Obama Administration.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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