tantrum

noun

tan·​trum ˈtan-trəm 

: a fit of bad temper

Synonyms of tantrum

• huff
• outburst
• scene
• explosion
• reaction
• fit
• fireworks
• frenzy
• rage

Examples of tantrum in a Sentence

had a tantrum when he found his little sister using his model paints

Recent Examples on the Web

For most of human history, our Sun’s occasional tantrums have been of little concern to those of us living on Earth’s surface. — Mike McRae 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Elementary school students may have tantrums, be clingy, have toileting accidents, engage in uncontrollable crying or become less talkative as a result of changes in schools, homes and caregivers. — Nikki R Wooten, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Ah yes—in addition to memorizing lines and choreography, Hiddleston and Atwell were both reckoning with sleep deprivation and toddler tantrums. — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Whether the ban was a masterful gambit or an unsupervised temper tantrum, its most revealing consequence—and, perhaps, point of contrast with Acostagate—has been in the strong reaction of the targets’ colleagues in the media. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tantrum

• have/throw/pitch a tantrum

Rhymes for tantrum

• antrum

Kids Definition

tantrum

noun

tan·​trum ˈtan-trəm 

: a fit of bad temper

Medical Definition

tantrum

noun

tan·​trum ˈtan-trəm 

: a fit of bad temper