Definition of outburstnext
1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling the judge directed the courtroom spectators to refrain from any outbursts when the verdict was read

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding in the outburst known as a supernova, the star may reach an intrinsic luminosity one billion times that of the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 outburst It was spotted via an ultrabright outburst from a dying star. Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026 The close cooperation and effusive praise from the start of the Iran war have given way to Trump’s expletive-laden outbursts directed at his most vocal international advocate. Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 July 2026 But many of those in attendance were frustrated by the outburst that led to the end of the meeting. Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 Even a 15-homer outburst in the last two months would give Guerrero the lowest full-season total of his career. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outburst
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Iraqi pro-militia outlet Naya late on Monday reported an explosion in Kuwait overnight that could be heard in Basrah Province.
    Mike Sheen, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The explosion was captured on video, which was shared on social media and verified by NBC News.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • After a bit of activity over the weekend, and a flurry of moves on trade deadline day, the Braves’ last 72 hours was quite pedestrian.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Familiar names departed in a flurry of deals, leaving a clubhouse that suddenly looked much different.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Approximately 1,700 people have been evacuated from at least 18 communities on the slopes of Fuego, or the Volcano of Fire, after the eruption that began on Monday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The eruption started Monday morning and had intensified by nightfall.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Denver Post via Getty Images On the night of July 31st, 1976, Colorado's monsoon season unleashed a torrential burst of rain from a nearly stationary thunderstorms across the Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland.
    Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The year the housing bubble burst, 860k American properties were repossessed.
    HubSpot, HubSpot, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Some areas expected to experience flash flooding include Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Prairie Village, Gardner, Merriam, Mission, Bonner Springs, De Soto, Tonganoxie, Basehor, Edwardsville, Fairway, Mission Hills and Riverside.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • No impact flash has ever been recorded on a sunlit part of the moon, which is exactly where this one will land.
    Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outburst. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on outburst

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster