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

Glacial outburst floods have killed more than 12,000 people worldwide, according to estimates in the journal Global and Planetary Change. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025

This was no isolated outburst, but part of a broader effort to delegitimize conservative participation in academic life. —Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

As the other undefeated team, Canada outscored its three opponents 19-4, but had to rely on some third-period outbursts to run up those offensive numbers. —Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Glacial outburst floods happen when the ice dams holding back glacial lakes fail, allowing a sudden release of water. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 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