1
as in bursts
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
as in flurries
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eruptions
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outbursts
Even their coach embodies a respectful, reflective male ideal and disciplines his athletes rather than celebrating them for outbursts of anger.
—
Anna Rinderspacher, Glamour, 20 May 2026
Even Republicans, who usually feigned ignorance about the President’s social-media outbursts, were weighing in.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
While Naverrette flawlessly plays Nikki as being possessed by a sinister spirit who’s obsessed with Bear, her performance also includes tortured outbursts as the real Nikki sporadically breaks free from her subconscious to react in horror as her friend takes advantage of the situation.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Baylen Dupree found social fame on TikTok with her honest and hilarious videos about living with Tourette's syndrome, and her unpredictable outbursts push the show's TV-14 rating to the limit.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
These are accompanied by jarring, discordant music tone outbursts accented with a vexing metallic buzz.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Like any public hearing, there were a few jokers who had some strange outbursts, but the majority of the over a dozen speakers weren’t satisfied with Gower’s presentation and used their times to ask questions of the owners as to what has taken so long with this project.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Until then, neighbors will have to deal with the man's outbursts.
—Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Aside from unpredictable fellow patients — some of whom are prone to violent outbursts — Pepper also has horrifying visions of a demonic beast.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Anna Rinderspacher, Glamour, 20 May 2026
Even Republicans, who usually feigned ignorance about the President’s social-media outbursts, were weighing in.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
While Naverrette flawlessly plays Nikki as being possessed by a sinister spirit who’s obsessed with Bear, her performance also includes tortured outbursts as the real Nikki sporadically breaks free from her subconscious to react in horror as her friend takes advantage of the situation.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Baylen Dupree found social fame on TikTok with her honest and hilarious videos about living with Tourette's syndrome, and her unpredictable outbursts push the show's TV-14 rating to the limit.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
These are accompanied by jarring, discordant music tone outbursts accented with a vexing metallic buzz.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Like any public hearing, there were a few jokers who had some strange outbursts, but the majority of the over a dozen speakers weren’t satisfied with Gower’s presentation and used their times to ask questions of the owners as to what has taken so long with this project.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Until then, neighbors will have to deal with the man's outbursts.
—Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Aside from unpredictable fellow patients — some of whom are prone to violent outbursts — Pepper also has horrifying visions of a demonic beast.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outbursts
Noun
-
The discordant, Bernard Herrmann-esque bursts of María Portugal’s rich score ratchet up the suspense and foreboding.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
We were immediately greeted by a resplendence of wildflowers, including purple-pink woolly bluecurls, bright orange southern bush monkey flower, red bursts of cardinal catchfly and at least one Catalina Mariposa lily.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The latest flurries that dusted parts of the Sierra Nevada this week are unlikely to do much to ease California’s snow drought.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the rain and snow fall, flurries can melt, mix together and refreeze just before hitting the ground, according to Jackson Macfarlane, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boise office.—
Hali Smith
April 14,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For Sandra Hüller, eruptions of emotion don’t come naturally.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Beyond eruptions and lava fields, the park also has miles of trails, native flora and fauna, as well as sacred petroglyphs.—
Kait Hanson,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
One person has died after a fire and two explosions Friday at a New York City shipyard, officials say.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Underground explosions often are blamed on lack of ventilation equipment to clear gas that seeps from the coal bed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
There are four virus strains known to cause Ebola disease in humans, and three have caused large outbreaks (Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo).—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
-
Why This Ebola Outbreak Is More Concerning Past Congo outbreaks including the catastrophic 2018 to 2020 epidemic that killed nearly 2,300 people were caused by the Zaire strain of Ebola.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Against average or below-average defenses, Rodgers was typically good, sometimes even showing flashes of his old brilliance.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Indeed, the only shooting victims shown (in several devastating flashes) are the heart of the film’s insoluble sorrows.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
It’s caused when the vocal cords slacken, leading to irregular vibration and an audible cracking or rattling sound as air is released in spurts.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 May 2026
-
Offensively, the power has come in fits and spurts.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The highest risk of fire weather is currently expected on Saturday and Sunday, when winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected, with isolated gusts up to 50 mph.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
For these storms, the Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of Kansas and Missouri, including the Kansas City metro, under a slight (Level 2 of 5) risk of severe weather, with large hail and damaging wind gusts the primary hazards.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outbursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outbursts. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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