1
as in explosion
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 flurry
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 eruption
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outburst
After taking control with their offensive outburst, Mara Braun cashed a couple of big shots from long range that forced Green Bay to call a timeout.
—
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Still, wanting to be a team player, Anthony is warm, friendly, and offers an encouraging word to the future CEO — despite Dougie’s obvious nerves and his random outbursts in Jamaican Patois.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
While presenting at the British Academy Film Awards earlier this month, Jordan and co-star Delroy Lindo were called a racial slur by Tourette’s activist John Davidson during a tic outburst.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Similar scoring outbursts from the Case Western Reserve recruit were not forthcoming, of course.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outburst
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Still, wanting to be a team player, Anthony is warm, friendly, and offers an encouraging word to the future CEO — despite Dougie’s obvious nerves and his random outbursts in Jamaican Patois.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
While presenting at the British Academy Film Awards earlier this month, Jordan and co-star Delroy Lindo were called a racial slur by Tourette’s activist John Davidson during a tic outburst.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Similar scoring outbursts from the Case Western Reserve recruit were not forthcoming, of course.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outburst
Noun
-
After an accidental explosion in a West Village bomb factory killed three Weathermen, those who survived, shaken by their friends’ deaths, swore off deadly violence.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Journalists heard several explosions from the direction of the Hezbollah stronghold, which Israel has repeatedly struck since war began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Golden State pulled away from there, keeping the pesky Wizards at bay with a flurry of 3-pointers and free throws.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In the franchise’s inaugural game on March 14 in San Jose, a flurry of impressive saves kept Denver in it until the final whistle, despite the club playing a woman down for most of the match after Janine Sonis was sent off in the 26th minute.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dosa earned an Academy Award nomination for 2022’s Fire of Love, the story of vulcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft who furthered the world’s understanding of intense geological forces, but whose lives were claimed in a volcanic eruption.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Here’s what witnesses said about the eruption.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For a burst of contrasting sweetness, toss in some pomegranate seeds along with a drizzle of hot honey and a tuft of fresh mint too.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Booker led the Longhorns out of the break with the third-quarter burst that quickly settled the outcome.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Panthers are comfortable with Hubbard toting the ball, and Etienne — a fourth-round pick last year — has shown some flashes.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The ongoing memory shortage is driving up the costs of both RAM and NAND flash storage.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outburst. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
