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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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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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
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Recent Examples of bust
Bianca London, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
According to Wakefield-Scurr, the average bust circumference can increase by an average of one centimeter per decade.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
They’re all being recorded, and instantly busted, across the country.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2024
And while those payments crimped Spotify’s profits, and the company has lately struggled to sell stock investors on a convincing growth story, Spotify is also not about to go bust.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bust
Noun
Measure your bust size: Measure from around your back to the fullest part of your breasts, again in inches.
—Bianca London, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
According to Wakefield-Scurr, the average bust circumference can increase by an average of one centimeter per decade.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
Two out, nobody on in the third, Fernando busts his tail down the line.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
They’re all being recorded, and instantly busted, across the country.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
And last year, when Silicon Valley Bank—favored by startups—was about to go bust, the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Federal Reserve, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, came to its customers’ rescue.
—Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2024
And while those payments crimped Spotify’s profits, and the company has lately struggled to sell stock investors on a convincing growth story, Spotify is also not about to go bust.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bust
Noun
-
The result is just tit-for-tat subversion and another blow to America’s supposedly nonpartisan system of justice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The endorsement was a boon to Mr. Cuomo, 67, and a blow to his rivals.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The disaster led to passage of the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act, which in turn added the miners' surveillance program under the respiratory health division at NIOSH.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Last month, the EU Commission urged its 450 million citizens to stockpile enough food, water and essentials for 72 hours in the event of emergencies like cyberattacks, climate disasters, disease and also geopolitical conflicts.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For many in attendance, the commemoration has new meaning amid federal immigration enforcement targeting immigrant communities, including the risk of arrest at a place of worship.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, an organization formed during last school year’s campus protests, has reviled both activists on social media and questioned public sympathy for them in the aftermath of their arrests.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Simone Biles Knows Something About Victory Biles is coming off a record-setting spree in 2024 after winning four Olympic medals at the Paris Games, bringing her total medal count to 11 with seven gold, two silver and two bronze.—
Kasey Nelson,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
In addition to Sacramento, the group robbed banks and credit unions in Vallejo, Suisun City, Benicia, Concord and Antioch in a spree that began in June of 2023 and continued through September 2024, the agreement shows.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This has, among other losses, reduced Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal by about eight hundred million dollars a month.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Cost Savings: Automation reduces labor costs and minimizes errors.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Legal fees and payouts to her former employees had bankrupted her, and she’d been reduced to driving a Ford Taurus.—
Nick Tabor,
Curbed,
11 Apr. 2025
-
But like so many people, he had been bankrupted by his infection.—
Stephanie Nolen,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This decision by the Russian Federation will undoubtedly endanger lives and disrupt critical HIV prevention efforts for ordinary Russian citizens.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The match began with Uso and Gunther going back and forth with each Superstar hitting their signature moves.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bust. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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