outburst

American  

[out-burst] / ˈaʊtˌbɜrst /

noun

1. a sudden and violent release or outpouring.

   an outburst of tears.

2. a sudden spell of activity, energy, etc.

3. a public disturbance; riot; outbreak.

4. a bursting forth; eruption.

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outburst British  

/ ˈaʊtˌbɜːst /

noun

1. a sudden and violent expression of emotion

2. an explosion or eruption

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Etymology

Origin of outburst

First recorded in 1650–60; out- + burst

Example Sentences

In the 20th century, several catastrophic glacial lake outbursts took place, including a 1941 incident in Peru that killed at least 1,800 people.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her outburst draws attention from a car pulling into a parking spot.

From Literature

"This is certainly an outburst unlike any other we have seen in the past 50 years," said Eliza Neights, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

From Science Daily

But the recent outburst of innovation, combined with the heated rivalries among the nation’s battery makers, seems to be moving up the clock.

From The Wall Street Journal

The nobleman reported the outburst to the king, sure that the painter would be punished.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• burst
• eruption
• explosion
• flare-up
• frenzy
• outbreak
• outpouring
• spasm
• storm
• surge
• tantrum
• upheaval