busted
UK: ˈbʌstɪd | US: ˈbʌstɪd
adj. 1. Broken or damaged beyond repair (e.g., "a busted phone").
adj. 2. Caught or arrested for wrongdoing (e.g., "He got busted for speeding").
adj. 3. (Informal) Exhausted or defeated (e.g., "I'm busted after that workout").
The word "busted" evolved from the informal verb "bust," which itself emerged as a variant of "burst" in the 1800s. Over time, "bust" expanded to include slang senses like "arrest" (early 20th century) and "fail" (mid-20th century). The addition of "-ed" solidified its adjectival use, reflecting physical damage, legal consequences, or personal exhaustion.
The vase fell and is now completely busted.
She got busted for cheating on the test.
After the marathon, his knees felt busted.
The police busted the illegal gambling ring.
My laptop screen is busted—I need a new one.