outburst

1 a sudden intense expression of strong feeling the judge directed the courtroom spectators to refrain from any outbursts when the verdict was read Synonyms agony, blaze, burst, ebullition, eruption, explosion, fit, flare, flare-up, flash, flush, gale, gush, gust, paroxysm, spasm, storm Related Words blowup, grouch, rage, tantrum; ecstasy, rapture, transport; delirium, firestorm, frenzy, furor

2 a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity there was a remarkable outburst of work in the office as the visiting VIPs made their tour Synonyms burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, spurtRelated Words recrudescence, recurrence, renewal; binge, jag, spree; boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn; epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm; deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley; commotion, furor, uproarNear Antonyms calm, doldrums, slump

3 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 blast, blowup, burst, bursting, detonation, eruption, explosionRelated Words discharge, firing, shooting; blowout, flare-up; bang, boom, pop; airburst, groundburstAntonyms implosion