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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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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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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bust
Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
The dress features a lacquered jersey skirt and bodice embroidered with 23,000 crystals, rhinestones, and sequins, with a silk pleated peplum, and feathers blooming from the bust.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025
Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
The Fast and the Furious Year: 2001 Runtime: 1h 46m
Director: Rob Cohen
Who could have known what would come of the story of an undercover LAPD cop who tries to bust a group of hijackers when this relatively quaint action flick was released almost a quarter-century ago?
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
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
Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of tourism and antiquities not involved in the dig, says that the bust may date after Cleopatra’s time.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
The dress features a lacquered jersey skirt and bodice embroidered with 23,000 crystals, rhinestones, and sequins, with a silk pleated peplum, and feathers blooming from the bust.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
But after that, sure enough, fun highlights, including the tippy top of the loop and superfast glimpse of Universal CityWalk, the busting through the New York facade, surfing above the queue and doubling back dramatically to the loading station.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025
The Fast and the Furious Year: 2001 Runtime: 1h 46m
Director: Rob Cohen
Who could have known what would come of the story of an undercover LAPD cop who tries to bust a group of hijackers when this relatively quaint action flick was released almost a quarter-century ago?
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
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
-
The order to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, which was widely expected, follows a similar move by the first Trump administration in 2017 and deals a major blow to global efforts to protect the environment.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Trump also signed an order signaling his intent to weaken tailpipe emission standards, which would be a major blow to the environment.—
Andrew J. Hawkins,
The Verge,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In early January, the stage was set for a wildfire disaster in Los Angeles.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2025
-
The trailer has tipped most of the big gags, from the disaster at the dock to Jim wrestling an alligator, but Stoller’s script is strong enough that the movie’s pleasures are far from spoiled.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Rebecca Hamilton, formerly a lawyer in the ICC’s prosecutorial division, wrote in Just Security about the double standard the U.S. is forced into by opposing the ICC following the Taliban arrest warrants.—
Beth Bailey,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Eleven of the Colombians would seek refuge at the nearby Taiwanese Embassy, only to end up under arrest.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers' offseason spending spree might not be over, but their future salary commitments have risen to nearly half a billion dollars already.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
In their first two playoff games, the Bills combined their outstanding running game and a shutdown defensive effort to defeat the Broncos, and a takeaway spree to get the job done against the Ravens.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Working with a sliding scale provider, as mentioned above, is another great way to reduce costs.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Here’s how to test for and reduce your exposure to these forever chemicals in your water.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But international sanctions aimed at bankrupting Russia’s war machine have failed to deliver as intended, and Biden urged the incoming Trump team to stand with Kyiv.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Further, the tax, levied at extraction, would be borne by the entity enjoying the economic benefit of the well—rather than trying to chase down some marginal entity that never turned a profit or may have existed purely to be bankrupted and evade liability.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
West End production of The Tempest was disrupted by climate crisis protesters on Monday night.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The shooting marks the latest example of everyday tasks being disrupted by gunfire in the US.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
At her best, the 26-year-old’s powerful hitting from the baseline is borderline unstoppable, particularly on hard courts.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Last week, when quarterback Patrick Mahomes — tackled at the ankles and about to hit the turf — threw a touchdown pass to Kelce, the Chief’s German Instagram page, chiefsdeutschland, responded with a photo and all-capital letters caption: DIESER TD HAT UNS SPRACHLOS GEMACHT.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bust
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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