Synonyms for

Busted

Verb / ˈbʌstɪd / Another word for busted — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

The past tense of 'bust', which means to break or damage something.

Synonyms & similar words

break wear bust fallapart burst raid broken wearout snap tear repair rupture broken cracked smashed shattered destroyed ruined demolished wrecked damaged hurt mangled blown burst split crushed fried flunked failed apprehended caught

Synonyms by register

Formal

apprehended arrested caught detained

Informal

caught nabbed collared pinched nabbed

Literary

ensnared taken apprehended

Antonyms

successful working functional operating intact whole solvent

Common collocations

  • busted open
  • busted up
  • busted out
  • busted a move
  • busted a gut
  • busted the bank
  • busted the case

Word family

noun bust
verb bust
adjective busted

Usage note

The informal meaning of 'busted' (meaning caught or broken) is very common. The formal meaning of 'apprehended' is less frequent and often used in police contexts.

Example sentences

  1. I busted my toy car when I dropped it.
  2. The police busted the robbers and put them in jail.
  3. I will get busted if I cheat on the test.
  4. He busted his knee while playing soccer.
  5. The vase busted when it fell off the table.

Quotes

  • The doors are open, the lights are on, and I'm busted.
  • I've been busted more than anyone I know.
  • I busted a mirror and got seven years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five.

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