eruption

noun

i-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce eruption (audio)
Definition of eruptionnext
1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a great eruption of glee as it suddenly dawned on her that she had won

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2
as in firing
the act or an instance of exploding the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa was one of the most violent in global history

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of eruption And when the track finally resumed, the lyrics were nearly drowned out by the eruption of cheers as his silhouette was illuminated by golden lights. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 The designation indicates heightened volcanic activity and the potential for an eruption, or an eruption underway with limited hazards to aviation. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Each eruption caused rapid deflation of the summit of Kilauea and was followed by the relatively slow refilling of the Halemaʻumaʻu magma reservoir. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 If the incoming eruptions interact favorably with Earth's magnetic field, auroras could potentially reach much farther south than currently anticipated. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eruption
  1. explosion
  2. firing
  3. outburst
  4. burst
Noun
  • In the 1960s America launched the Vela fleet of satellites, whose sole task was to look at Earth’s surface and search for any telltale neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays—extremely high-energy particles—coming from a nuclear explosion.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Most of these fragments were generated by explosions and orbital collisions that shattered satellites and used rocket stages into clouds of dangerous debris.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Things certainly aren’t going well when your defensive coordinator’s name is emblazoned across bedsheets hanging from your school’s fraternity windows, calling for his firing.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Fear and loathing are running high as Hollywood processes Thursday’s shock firing of Bela Bajaria from her post as Netflix chief content officer.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of firing
Noun
  • Rushing went through a learning curve juggling his defensive and offensive responsibilities, and navigating intense online scrutiny of his outbursts on the field and in the dugout.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Berg, working with DP Jacques Jouffret, favors close shots that force us to experience battle much like our heroes do, as confusing, terrifying bursts of mayhem.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The heaviness comes from the fact that the artist died in April, at age forty-six, but it’s also embedded in the paintings on view—in the bursts of fire and swirling floods that mark them.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst

Browse Nearby Words

erupting
eruption
eruptions
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Cite this Entry

“Eruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eruption. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on eruption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eruption

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