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Synonyms

erupt

American  
[ih-ruhpt] / ɪˈrʌpt /

verb (used without object)

  1. to burst forth.

    Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.

    Synonyms:
    vent
  2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.

  3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner.

    Words of anger erupted from her.

  4. to break out in a skin rash.

    Hives erupted all over his face and hands.

  5. (of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.


verb (used with object)

  1. to release violently; burst forth with.

    She erupted angry words.

    Synonyms:
    vent
  2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).

erupt British  
/ ɪˈrʌpt /

verb

  1. to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected

  2. (intr) (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out

  3. (intr) (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development

  4. (intr) to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraint

    to erupt in anger

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • eruptible adjective
  • eruption noun
  • preerupt verb (used without object)
  • reerupt verb (used without object)
  • unerupted adjective

Etymology

Origin of erupt

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin ēruptus “burst forth, broken out” (past participle of ērumpere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + ruptus, past participle of rumpere “to break, rupture”; e- 1, rupture

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As Jackson’s media prominence grew — including a cover photo on Time magazine in 1970 — tensions erupted between Jackson and SCLC, in part because of the sloppy bookkeeping that became a Jackson characteristic.

From Los Angeles Times

But those paled in comparison to the outcry that erupted when some curlers — Canadian curlers — were accused of bending the rules.

From Los Angeles Times

During his cooking demonstration, the audience would erupt into cheers whenever he exclaimed, “BAM!” while spicing up his dishes.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was 16 when the Hungarian Revolution erupted in October 1956, and he joined a crowd in Stalin Square laboring to tear down a colossal statue of the Soviet leader.

From The Wall Street Journal

As he finished, the 24-year-old looked to the sky on his knees with tears in his eyes as the arena erupted.

From BBC