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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

While 2024 and 2025 were ultimately a bust, the company has gotten its AI act together in 2026. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 That is because the Ivorian cocoa industry remains tethered to the boom and bust of commodity prices. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

Continue reading … PENALTY ON THE PLAY – 49ers owner busted in $140 prostitution sting near Ohio trailer park. — FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The latest budget-busting bill in Sacramento is Assembly Bill 1383. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 21 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

Noun

If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Johnson had also issued an arrest warrant against him in March, ruling him in contempt of court at that time over failing to turn over the financial documents, including state and federal tax returns along with bank statements and other filings.

— Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Zen's arrest at that time sent shock waves through the Catholic community.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 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

Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change-makers wielding the technology for good and ill.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
In the scenario, critical infrastructure in the central Finnish city of Kuopio, including power and water, has been disrupted by cyberattacks and there’s the threat of missile strikes from Finland’s neighbor, Russia.

— Emma Burrows, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Verb

Throw it on over a swimsuit before hitting the beach, or accessorize it with a belt and some sunnies for a laid-back, yet polished, ensemble.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bust

noun

verb

adjective

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