outburst

noun

out·​burst ˈau̇t-ˌbərst 

1

: a violent expression of feeling

an outburst of anger

2

: a surge of activity or growth

… new outbursts of creative power …

—C. E. Montague

3

: eruption

volcanic outbursts

Synonyms of outburst

• explosion
• burst
• eruption
• flash

Examples of outburst in a Sentence

the judge directed the courtroom spectators to refrain from any outbursts when the verdict was read

there was a remarkable outburst of work in the office as the visiting VIPs made their tour

Recent Examples on the Web

There have been intermittent outbursts of violence against immigrants since then. — ABC News, 24 June 2026

For the outburst, he was originally charged with three counts of intimidation, a Level 5 felony. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Some of the most likely answers might be France, Germany or Argentina, thanks to Messi's scoring outburst. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 June 2026

The symptoms often look different in dads—anger or sudden outbursts, irritability and substance misuse, for example. — Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outburst

• accursed
• amerced
• cloudburst
• coerced
• conversed
• disbursed
• dispersed
• headfirst
• immersed
• rehearsed
• reversed
• starburst

Kids Definition

outburst

noun

out·​burst -ˌbərst 

1

: a sudden violent expression of strong feeling

an outburst of anger

2

: a sudden increase in activity or growth