outburst
Americannoun
-
outbursts
plural
-
a sudden and violent release or outpouring.
an outburst of tears.
-
a sudden spell of activity, energy, etc.
-
a public disturbance; riot; outbreak.
-
a bursting forth; eruption.
noun
-
a sudden and violent expression of emotion
-
an explosion or eruption
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of outburst
Explanation
When you can't help an angry shout or a burst of emotion, that's an outburst. A toddler's outburst might take the form of a full-blown temper tantrum. An outburst of passion or emotion can be angry words, a broken glass, or a triumphant whoop. There are also figurative outbursts, like the outburst of political enthusiasm within a particular group of voters, or an outburst of energy in the midst of a modern dance performance. The Middle English verb that proceeded outburst was outbresten.
Vocabulary lists containing outburst
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.
See Examples For:
When Swift detects an outburst, it can quickly turn toward the source and alert other observatories on the ground and in space.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026
Taken aback by Gavriel’s fiery outburst, Yair asks in disbelief, “why can’t we live side by side in peace?”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Laila Emamjoneh, 24, who sat beside her sister and brother-in-law, was startled at the outburst for New Zealand among a group of mostly Iranians.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
This meant she regularly passed the accused and their family, who "glared" at jurors and had to be removed by police after an "outburst", leaving Gerrard feeling especially vulnerable.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
This outburst does little but boost the boy’s status in the eyes of his friends, who take to devising ingenious ways to irritate Mr. Curran without giving themselves away.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
Her husky voice is familiar to pilots in Greek skies -- as are her outbursts.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
But where once these kinds of outbursts would have made waves, they now seem to ripple at best.
From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026
There are no explosive revelations, gotcha moments, dramatic confessions, or theatrical outbursts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
This week's sentencing saw tensions and outbursts in the public gallery, leading to the area being cleared by the judge.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
Saturday dawned without any more outbursts from Mrs. Weasley, though she seemed very tense at breakfast.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
