erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to burst from limits or restraint

(2)

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

b

: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up

c

: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth

war could erupt at any moment

the audience erupted in applause

2

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently

a volcano erupting lava and ash

eruptible

i-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

eruptive

i-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

eruptively adverb

Synonyms of erupt

• eject
• expel
• spit
• emit
• spurt
• spew
• disgorge
• belch

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

The volcano erupted with tremendous force.

A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

The film is set against Serbia’s largest student protests in decades, among the largest in Europe, which erupted after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad killed 16 people. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 July 2026

Some Muslims saw it as blasphemous, and often-violent protests erupted against Rushdie, who was born into a Muslim family. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

Tensions erupted in May 2020 when Indian and Chinese troops violently clashed at multiple points along the LAC, including near Pangong Tso, Chushul, Gogra, Hot Springs, and the Galwan river valley in the Ladakh region. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued to protest in the capital of New Delhi on Wednesday even after demonstrations earlier in the week erupted into violent clashes with the police that left dozens of people injured. — Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing erupt

• erupt in laughter

Rhymes for erupt

• abrupt
• corrupt
• disrupt
• cupped
• supped
• upped
• interrupt

Kids Definition

erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode

2

: to break through a surface

teeth erupting from the gum

3

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

eruptive

-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

2

: to break out (as with a skin eruption)

eruptive

-tiv 

adjective