bust 1 of 3

noun

Definition of bustnext
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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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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bust

2 of 3

verb

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bust

3 of 3

adjective

variants or busted
as in bankrupt

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bust
Noun
Drew Brees stood on stage next to his bronze bust, in front of Who Dat Nation, and took his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. — Rob Maaddi, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026 Then this prolific runner and receiver for the San Francisco 49ers during their dynasty of the latter 20th century finally got his gold bust Saturday in Canton, Ohio. — Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
The mood is already ruined after you get busted hooking up in a bar's bathroom. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Gable suplexed Penta into the corner and went for a flying headbutt, but Penta caught him in an armbar, busting Gable’s shoulder. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
If the case goes bust, the plaintiff or lawyer does not have to pay back the funder, but must pay taxes then on the funds provided. — Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026 Mosquitoes have a boom or bust life cycle and take advantage of weather and environmental changes. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
  1. blow
  2. disaster
  3. arrest
  4. spree
  5. reduce
  6. bankrupt
  7. disrupt
  8. hit
Noun
  • The injury to Tunsil, 32, is a major blow to the Commanders’ hopes of a bounce-back season in 2026.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rodri's move to Barcelona is a significant blow for Madrid, who have struggled for midfield control since Kroos and Modric departed, and have been trophyless while Barcelona dominated domestically.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • The club was rebuilding after the 1958 Munich air disaster but won a first post-Munich trophy, the FA Cup, earlier that year.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In nearby Anderson in Madison County, Indiana, the mayor declared a local disaster emergency and issued evacuation orders Thursday along the swelling White River and other waterways.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • In December 2024, the star pleaded guilty to one count linked to his 2020 gun-possession arrest in Louisiana and a separate count tied to a gun charge filed in Utah.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • King's termination follows the firing and arrest of Brinker's second-grade teacher, Paul Campbell, last month.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • Olive and Nikki are two of four Girl Scouts whose six-week selling spree is followed in Cookie Queens.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Valeria Mongelli / Anadolu via Getty Images The previous year, a former police officer killed 36 people during a three-hour shooting and stabbing spree in the country’s northeast.
    — Nat Sumon, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of spree
Verb
  • Studies show that drinking more fluid—preferably water—can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation and recurrence.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Sometimes the very entities owning these hospitals and nursing homes are purposely bankrupting them, pillaging them of their value to maximize the owners’ profits.
    — Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Tarwater has warned that the class-action lawsuit currently pending against Jackson County — with a settlement class including 200,000 homeowners — could bankrupt the county if paid out.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of bankrupt
Verb
  • Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Costs had been on the decline since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • That was a new record and only once before has the number of moves hit double figures.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Bryce Eldridge hit his 12th home run, an impressive opposite-field shot.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit

Browse Nearby Words

bussing
bust
busted
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Cite this Entry

“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bust for Spanish Speakers

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