1. Not in working order; not functioning
   "the coke machine is busted";
   - broken, bust [Brit, informal], up the spout [informal], on the blink [informal], rooted [Austral, NZ, informal], on the fritz [N. Amer, informal], out of order, kaput [informal], knackered [Brit, informal]
    
2. [informal] Caught doing something forbidden
   "The teenagers were busted trying to sneak into the movie theatre";
   - found out [informal]

1. Ruin completely
   "The scandal bust his political career";
   - break
    
2. Search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
   "The police bust the crack house";
   - raid
    
3. Separate or cause to separate abruptly
   "bust the paper";
   - tear, rupture, snap
    
4. Break open or apart suddenly and forcefully
   "The dam bust";
   - burst

See also: bust up [informal], damaged, pull down, rip up, tear apart [informal]

Type of: assail, attack, break, come apart, destroy, disunite, divide, fall apart, part, ruin, separate, split up

Encyclopedia: Busted, Broke and American