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
C. E. Montague3
: eruption
volcanic outbursts
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
This undersells the singular malignance of her outbursts, which drove away Black and white allies alike.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
But recent outbursts of dissent in some regions including Tibet and Xinjiang prompted Beijing to crack down.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In the superb production of the solo play Every Brilliant Thing opening tonight on Broadway, the unstoppable Daniel Radcliffe plays the troubled but tenacious son of a woman whose long stretches of bedridden depression are broken only by her frequent outbursts of self-harm.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
There were also two separate instances of people being escorted out of the courtroom during the hearing after outbursts were heard from the audience gallery.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outburst
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Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
But recent outbursts of dissent in some regions including Tibet and Xinjiang prompted Beijing to crack down.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In the superb production of the solo play Every Brilliant Thing opening tonight on Broadway, the unstoppable Daniel Radcliffe plays the troubled but tenacious son of a woman whose long stretches of bedridden depression are broken only by her frequent outbursts of self-harm.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
There were also two separate instances of people being escorted out of the courtroom during the hearing after outbursts were heard from the audience gallery.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outburst
Cite this Entry
“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outburst. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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