BUSTING Synonyms: 267 Similar and Opposite Words

busting

verb

present participle of bust

as in reducing

to bring to a lower grade or rank the commander threatened to bust her for failing to salute

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bankrupting

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disrupting

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 hitting

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 arresting

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 killing

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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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 busting My closet is always busting at the seams, but for good reason. — Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 Drinking Buddies is a liquid that claims to contain DHM along with an acetaldehyde-busting amino acid, herbs such as milk thistle, and B vitamins. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 The latest budget-busting bill in Sacramento is Assembly Bill 1383. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026 In William Friedkin‘s sprawling crime saga, William Petersen plays an obsessive Secret Service agent who tries to avenge his fallen partner by busting an expansive counterfeiting ring. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 Fortunately for us, there are plenty of ways to mix the two this weekend — from spa deals and rum-soaked revelry to a nostalgic hard rock show or a night of stress-busting belly laughs. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 That moment is followed up later in the episode with Beard busting into the office just as Alice has agreed to stay on as an assistant coach. — Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Some of the best scenes are just Owen, Joe, and Terry sharing a meal at their favorite diner, talking openly—and good-naturedly busting each other’s chops—about whatever happens to be going on in their lives. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Medicare’s budget-busting makes Social Security’s look modest by comparison. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for busting

Verb

According to a news release, the program will track attendance and behavioral data with the primary goals being to improve school attendance and student grades while potentially reducing psychiatric hospitalizations.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
That could lower capital and operating costs while reducing safety risks during production.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reducing

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
At a June forum for county executive candidates, former Legislator Dan Tarwater III said that the lawsuit could cost up to $1 billion in payouts, potentially bankrupting Jackson County.

— Ilana Arougheti July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of bankrupting

Verb

Almost constant air raids in Kyiv have now reached their third day, choking the economy in the Ukrainian capital and severely disrupting civilian life more than 4½ years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
In 2023, workers accused the company of disrupting union activities, including implying workers could be dismissed for participating in a union protest and locking emergency exits on the day workers planned to picket outside.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupting

Verb

Cook will be remembered for making the iPhone feel essential to everything from buying a coffee to listening to music, hitting the gym or paying a credit card bill.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Crow-Armstrong’s 38 blasts are tied with Kyle Schwarber (2019) for second-most by a left-handed-hitting Cub.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Since his administration launched its mass deportation campaign and reversed limits on ICE arresting military spouses and parents, such arrests have become more common.

— Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Law enforcement arrived within two minutes, officials said, before engaging the two shooters and arresting them.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of arresting

Verb

The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
On the last day of February, the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attacking targets across the country.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

When Abrams stayed out too late at a casino in 2024, the former front office responded by demoting him through the end of the season.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Months after demoting six detectives and sergeants in a controversial investigation, the Prosper Police Department is reversing half of the punishments.

— Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of demoting

Verb

For a full breakdown of how to clean your bedding without ruining it, refer to AD's guide on how to wash a comforter.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2026
This allegedly caused the cancellation of school recesses, and also ruining weddings and funerals.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruining

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busters

busting

bustle

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“Busting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busting. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of busting

verb

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