Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
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.

Photographs on local media show mountains engulfed by flames, with some residents likening the blazes to "volcanoes erupting", according to local news outlet Khaosod.

From BBC

Slamming tables, raising his voice, Bellamy erupted in front of his players.

From BBC

Around Thanksgiving 2009, a report that Woods had been in a car accident near his home erupted into a major scandal involving allegations of affairs.

From Los Angeles Times

A passage in which an argument erupts over which nearby shop sells the best donuts, for instance, descends into absurdity when Mr. Eddy suddenly rises from his state of near-unconsciousness to offer his opinion.

From The Wall Street Journal

The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles, hoots and hollers, clapping hands and stomping feet.

From Literature