outburst

1 a sudden intense expression of strong feeling <the judge directed the courtroom spectators to refrain from any outbursts when the verdict was read> Synonyms agony, blaze, burst, ebullition, eruption, explosion, fit, flare, flare-up, flash, flush, gale, gush, gust, paroxysm, spasm, storm Related Words blowup, grouch, rage, tantrum; ecstasy, rapture, transport; delirium, firestorm, frenzy, furor

2 a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity <there was a remarkable outburst of work in the office as the visiting VIPs made their tour> Synonyms burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, spurtRelated Words recrudescence, recurrence, renewal; binge, jag, spree; boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn; epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm; deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley; commotion, furor, uproarNear Antonyms calm, doldrums, slump

3 the act or an instance of exploding <in the outburst known as a supernova, the star may reach an intrinsic luminosity one billion times that of the sun> Synonyms blast, blowup, burst, bursting, detonation, eruption, explosionRelated Words discharge, firing, shooting; blowout, flare-up; bang, boom, pop; airburst, groundburstAntonyms implosion