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

• 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

When Earth crosses paths with this point of a comet’s orbit, a meteor storm occurs, producing an outburst of meteors streaking across the sky. —Gina Park, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

Every few decades or so, the Draconids create a massive outburst with hundreds of meteors an hour visible from some locations on Earth. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025

Droplet outbursts from onion cutting. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

The recent brightening could be a transient outburst rather than a steady increase as the comet approaches to the sun, only time will tell. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outburst

• amerced
• cloudburst
• coerced
• conversed
• disbursed
• dispersed
• headfirst
• immersed
• rehearsed
• reversed
• submersed
• sunburst

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