outburst

noun

out·​burst ˈau̇t-ˌbərst How to pronounce outburst (audio)
Synonyms of outburstnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Luigi Mangione complained about double jeopardy in a courtroom outburst on Friday about the prospect of back-to-back trials in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Rachel Wolf , Maria Paronich , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Wearing a tan jail suit, Mangione sat quietly at the defense table until his outburst at the end of the hearing. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Ye’s recent outbursts coincide with a rise in antisemitism across the US; the Anti-Defamation League has reported a 344 percent rise in attacks against Jewish people between 2019 and 2024. Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026 The decision to start the state trial June 8 dramatically changed the timeline for the defense, prompting Mangione, 27, to have an outburst as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outburst

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outburst was in 1657

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Cite this Entry

“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outburst. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

outburst

noun
out·​burst -ˌbərst How to pronounce outburst (audio)
1
: a sudden violent expression of strong feeling
an outburst of anger
2
: a sudden increase in activity or growth

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