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 The version of you that relied on impulse, passion or perhaps even angry outbursts is becoming stronger and more intentional. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 Correa’s two-run single capped the fourth-inning outburst and put the Astros in front 6-2. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 Who needs a mild anti-monarchist outburst, given the far thornier international debacle on the BAFTAs stage? Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026 Cowing and Watkins are still unproven commodities, and Robinson’s wild-card outburst in Philadelphia seems an outlier. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outburst
Noun
  • The arraignment continues for six out of the eight people arrested in connection with the Esparto explosion that killed seven men.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The video allowed researchers to calculate the trajectory of the missile flying uncharacteristically low and match it with other reports of explosions, Lair said.
    Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Public Service Commission has approved a flurry of rate hikes in recent years as private utilities grapple with maintaining profits while improving infrastructure in a mountainous, sparsely populated state.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That person belongs to a different time, to a different town and to people who cannot be expected to remain the same, any more than the slopes of a volcano can be expected to still be molten rock an eon after the last eruption.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Major eruptions of pushback against Meta include the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, when the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook users was used for political advertising, adding to criticisms that the site pushes divisive and extreme political content.
    Ryan Cormier, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The verdant burst is always welcome after a dreary winter, and the bright, fresh flavors of spring vegetables are like a breath of fresh air on the table, too.
    Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Thunder took control with an early 17-2 burst.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ford said persistently wet soil conditions across the state are limiting stormwater absorption, sending more runoff into major waterways such as the Des Plaines and Fox rivers and raising the likelihood of flash flooding.
    Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Frozen Vegetables Frozen vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and flash-frozen, locking in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outburst. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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