1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered a bust to the boxer's chops
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Relevance
2
as in disaster
something that has failed
the first movie was a hit, but the sequel was an unexpected bust
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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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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
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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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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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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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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
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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
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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
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variants
or busted
as in bankrupt
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of bust
Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
In fact, 2024 may go down as the year of the nepo bust.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024
More than six years after being appointed to the top job by the Murdochs and busting the cable news glass ceiling, Scott has proved a survivor who knows how real power works and how to use it — to her rivals’ regret.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2024
Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2023
In the late 1980s, the commercial real estate boom turned bust.
—Alexandra Digby, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bust 
Noun
The movie’s clumsy turn into revenge-thriller territory is a bust, but the quasi-incestuous heat between the main characters keeps things moving.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
In fact, 2024 may go down as the year of the nepo bust.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
Earlier this year, French, Italian, and Swiss police forces teamed up to bust a ring of wine fraudsters who were selling counterfeited Grand Cru wines (the premier designation of quality in French wine) for up to €15,000 a bottle.
—Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024
More than six years after being appointed to the top job by the Murdochs and busting the cable news glass ceiling, Scott has proved a survivor who knows how real power works and how to use it — to her rivals’ regret.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The bra is designed to decrease bust size by about 1 inch and features smooth and nearly seamless cups with underwire for extra support and adjustable straps for a better fit.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2023
In the late 1980s, the commercial real estate boom turned bust.
—Alexandra Digby, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
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Likewise, a surprise 25 basis point rate cut by the BOK at its November meeting, enacted before Yoon declared martial law in December, could have cushioned the blow.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
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As such, this will likely be a blow because the country accounted for 50% of global oil demand growth between 2000 and 2023, averaging an annual increase of 518,000 bpd, according to the Energy Institute's 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy.Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If Calais Campbell hadn’t signed with the Dolphins at the last minute Miami’s defense would be a disaster.Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
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Choi took office two days before a Jeju Air plane crashed in the southwest city of Muan, killing 179 of the 181 people on board in the world’s deadliest aviation disaster of 2024. Stella Kim, Steve Patterson, Stephanie Fuerte and Beomsu Jo reported from Seoul and Jennifer Jett from Hong Kong.Stella Kim, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Duncan would not confirm details about Jabbar's arrest history during the press conference.Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Jan. 2025
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Morgan is not in jail, and court records say a $95,000 arrest warrant was issued for him on Dec. 26, the day the charges were filed.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The man arrested after a random stabbing spree inside the Grand Central subway station in New York City on Christmas Eve that left two victims wounded cried out for his mother in court, according to a report.Pilar Arias, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
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The latest spree of gun violence marks another case of what’s been a bloody holiday season in Indianapolis.Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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These tools allow professionals to focus on strategic decision-making, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks.Carlos Netto, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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Addiction Early studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine and opioids by modulating the brain’s reward pathways.Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Corbet and his longtime cinematographer Lol Crawley were able to get VistaVision cameras and still not bankrupt themselves.David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
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But Manchester United’s decision to hitch their wagon to this development almost bankrupted them again, particularly when the First World War broke out, depriving them of income for four seasons.Matt Slater, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
Verb
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In the last year, the FBI has disrupted other potential attacks inspired by the militant group, including in October when agents arrested an Afghan man in Oklahoma accused of plotting an election day attack targeting large crowds.Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
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An elbow injury disrupted the career that Elaine Schmidt might have had as a high-level flutist.Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Palm Springs hits its peak while the rest of America braces against the gloom and the cold.David Hochman, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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With those gains, the market had a massive year, as all three major averages hit new intraday and closing records in the month of December alone.Sean Conlon, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bust
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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