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

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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

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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 outburst This woman reportedly had already been receiving unwanted and threatening messages, and investigators concluded that Zhou’s AI conversations showed something more than a momentary angry outburst. Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 The 36-year-old Hubble also is dropping in orbit because of the sun’s recent outbursts. Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Vásquez allowed both of his runs and both of his hits in one inning and finished seven for the second time this season, and a four-run outburst in the fifth inning lifted the Padres to a 6-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night at Petco Park. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 The family drama is set during an idyllic island vacation that takes a tumultuous turn when a mother’s sudden physical outburst towards her 10-year-old son exposes hidden tensions and lingering conflicts within the family. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outburst
Noun
  • One resident, Iryna Barisenkova, recalled hearing loud explosions while traveling on public transport.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Captain Dixon says thankfully things were much calmer on Monday compared to Sunday, when there were constant Mayday calls from a man overboard to a sinking vessel — even an explosion at a dock nearby as a boat was refueling.
    Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The move by the shop owner launched a flurry of online discourse about the tripod-wielding gaggle of usually young, almost always female influencers who parade their phones around in the hopes of building, or nurturing, a gainful following.
    Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Amid the flurry of decisions, Missouri Republicans have seized on the federal one that favored their side.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Geology Agency cautioned that volcanic activity remains elevated and the probability of further eruptions is still high.
    Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The volcano launched ash into the air and into the city of Jakarta and the Lampung province during a 25-hour-long eruption.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • These are short, all-out bursts of exercise performed at an intensity higher than your maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max).
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Inflation eased in June and July, but a burst of on-again, off-again fighting in recent weeks caused crude prices to rise again.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The tribe, which requested a disaster declaration separately, was hit with flash flooding June 2-4 after a heavy rain and hail storm.
    John Hult, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But that terrible morning is still just a flash of memory away.
    Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outburst. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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