outbreak

1 a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room Synonyms burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outburst, spurt Related Words recrudescence, recurrence, renewal; binge, jag, spree; boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn; epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm; deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley; commotion, furor, uproar Near Antonyms calm, doldrums, slump

2 open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency Synonyms insurgence, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, revolution, rising, uprisingRelated Words coup, coup d'état (or coup d'etat), overthrow; misprision, sedition, treachery, treason; sabotage, subversionNear Antonyms counterinsurgency, counterrevolution