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
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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
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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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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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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
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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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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
Dory Zayas, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
The flattering wrap twist over the bust nips in at the waist, flowing gently over the tummy area, delivering smooth coverage without sacrificing shape.
—Jené Luciani Sena
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Additionally, a boom-and-bust cycle in the early 2000s informs some of the company’s prudence on expansion.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Experts caution against overestimating tariffs’ deficit-busting powers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
The top is incredibly stretchy and would accommodate a variety of bust sizes.
—Verb
Usually, an average size version wraps around my bust and waist but gaps at the top of my hips and falls only to mid-thigh.
—Adjective
The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
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The Ravens have gotten off to a 1-3 start in a season for the first time since 2015, delivering an early blow to the team’s Super Bowl ambitions.—
-
Then came the biggest blow with Gavi’s torn meniscus.—
Noun
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In the area of Eaton Fire, the pace of permit approvals is much quicker than before the disaster — an average of 72 days, compared with about eight months previously.—
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The agency is still investigating the disaster and hosted a series of hearings on the matter over the summer.—
Noun
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No details about the pending criminal case, immigration status or possible reason behind the ICE arrest are being given by the public defender’s office.—
-
The Secret Service hasn’t announced any arrests connected to the operation.—
Noun
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Other agencies affected by the DOGE firing spree have also had to reverse course and rehire workers.—
-
Target has started its seasonal hiring spree.—
Verb
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The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
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Robert Shapiro, a professor of government and public affairs at Columbia University, questioned whether the removal of social media would meaningfully reduce the likelihood of political violence.—
Verb
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See video … WATCH TOM HOMAN – With a secure border, the US is bankrupting cartels.—
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Multiple rocket explosions nearly bankrupted the company.—
Verb
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Eastern members of the alliance, including Estonia, Poland, and Romania, recently reported incursions into their airspace, while drones that disrupted Danish airports are suspected of being linked to Russia.—
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Sensory deprivation training has become increasingly common over the past decade, particularly when Steph Curry popularized practicing with strobe goggles to disrupt his vision.—
Verb
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The newer versions can hit stationary and moving targets at sea.—
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His termination notice came just over a week after reporting he had been hit by a car while on duty.—
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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