BUST Synonyms: 459 Similar and Opposite Words

bust 1 of 3

noun

Definition of bust

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

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

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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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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

But a key question for investors is whether the industry’s typical boom-and-bust cycle is finally changing. — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Michael Wilson was a fantasy bust in a prime matchup without Harrison last week, when the Cardinals ran 13-personnel more frequently. — Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Walker ended the third by busting free for a 76-yard run before he was chased down from behind by Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson at the 8-yard line. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 Palminteri argued that early career struggles do not define a player's potential, pointing to guys like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield who got drafted, bombed, busted, and then roared back. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Adjective

On one of the most damaging, KU blitzed a cornerback and a busted coverage left Donovan Olugbode uncovered along the left sideline. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Together, the data suggest a labor market in neither boom nor bust mode — one that is increasingly becoming an afterthought for Federal Reserve officials looking to plot their next monetary policy action. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust

Noun

Now, in yet another blow to national self-esteem, the ex-head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested on charges of exploiting state secrets.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
The pro-Western opposition parties won big Saturday in the Czech Republic’s vote to fill one-third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, the Senate, handing a blow to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Faizi said ambulances and disaster management personnel arrived from a nearby facility within five minutes of being alerted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
For example, largely because of the environmental disaster that is Weikuang Dam, the country doesn’t permit the development or operation of stand-alone monazite mines—that is, mines where nothing is mined except monazite ore.

— Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

However, following his arrest, the owner, Mohammad Khan, blamed this week's rains for weakening one of the roofs, according to police, who said the investigation was still underway.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
According to a letter sent to parents from Melissa ISD police chief Chris Fontana, the district immediately fired Phillip Gates, 60, after learning of his arrest on Tuesday.

— Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrest

Noun

That buying spree reflects Beijing's push to cut its dependence on the dollar, and Chinese households' lack of safe alternatives, with analysts expecting sustained demand for the bullion in a struggling economy.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Sandler stars as a downtrodden deli worker who steps up to protect his fellow Salem residents from a Halloween-night kidnapping spree.

— Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of spree

Verb

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
At the same time, a traffic signal at Hazel Avenue and Folsom Boulevard was flashing in all directions, disrupting train signals at three additional intersections, Selenis said.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

Prosecutors said Wilcox was hit by gunfire, fell to the ground and fired three more gunshots at the officers.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The different program sales operations of Skydance hit the Côte d’Azur under their pre-existing Paramount and WB brands.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hit

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bussing

bust

busted

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Style

“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bust

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verb

adjective

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