to burst

Examples

• All

• Then I generally burst into tears.

  Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

• When he saw me, he fell on my neck and burst into tears.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Looks like something just burst out of him.

  Antlers (2021)

• I can see now that he was trying not to burst out laughing.

  Academic text (2015)

• "There was silence again, and suddenly they all burst out in a wave of laughter.

  Fiction book (1993)

• I just burst into tears, started bawling my eyes out and my wife ran up.

  Bisping (2021)

• Furious with myself, fighting to keep my lips from trembling, I burst into tears.

  Academic text (2002)

• I burst into tears.

  The Guilty (2000)

• The bride burst into tears and swore she was gonna have nightmares the rest of her life because of that dog.

  Turner & Hooch (1989)

• "Where were the plates hidden?" Nathan burst out, the questions tumbling in his mind.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

U

to unleash

vsto burst

206 4.3

To suddenly let a strong feeling, power, or animal go free

is used for sudden release that is not always about great power

D

to detonate

vsto burst

166 6.5

Cause something like a bomb or firework to explode suddenly and violently

is about releasing something from inside, not necessarily by violent blasting

E

to erupt

vsto burst

117 4.2

To suddenly start in a strong or violent way, often showing strong feeling

is more about forcing something out from inside rather than starting events

E

to explode

vsto burst

114 3.5

To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger

is broader, applying to many sudden releases beyond emotional outbursts

P

to pop

vsto burst

102 1.0

To burst or make something burst with a sudden sound

is about forcing something out from inside, often with strong emotion

P

to pop out

vsto burst

94 3.1

To come out quickly from a surface or container

is more about forcing contents out from inside rather than simple bulging

S

to surge

vsto burst

52 4.1

To move suddenly and strongly forward or upward, like a wave

is specific about releasing something held inside rather than strong movement

B

to break into

vsto burst

34 4.0

Suddenly start making a sound, like singing, laughing or crying

focuses on forcing something out from inside rather than only beginning expression

T

to tear

vsto burst

33 3.4

To move very quickly with great force

is about releasing something held inside, not merely rapid motion through space

G

to gush

vsto burst

27 3.2

To flow out suddenly and forcefully, like blood from a wound

is broader, applying to sudden release generally, not only liquids

B

to burst out

vsto burst

23 3.4

Start suddenly and appear or happen quickly

is focused on forcing something out from inside rather than merely starting

B

to burst forth

vsto burst

7 5.4

Suddenly start to happen with a lot of energy

is about forcing something out from inside rather than simply appearing

S

to spurt

vsto burst

7 3.1

To come out suddenly in a strong stream

is used for sudden release in many senses, not only brief jets

T

to thrust out

vsto burst

5 4.8

Push something outward suddenly and strongly

also covers sudden release but includes nonphysical or emotional forms

E

to ejaculate

vsto burst

1 8.7

To say something suddenly and loudly because of surprise or strong feeling

is more general, covering sudden releases beyond quick spoken words

I

to irrupt

vsto burst

1 9.4

Suddenly appear or enter with force

is about pushing something out from inside rather than entering or invading

U

to uprush

vsto burst

1 7.9

To move up quickly, often with strong feeling or liquid

is about releasing something from within, not merely a quick rise

Antonyms

C

to contain

220 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

S

to suppress

151 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

Idioms

B

to burst someone's bubble

• Informal

20 6.3

Tell someone that something they hoped for is not true

B

to burst a blood vessel

• Informal

2 6.9

To become very angry or upset in a way people notice

Phrasal Verbs

B

to burst into tears

25 2.4

To suddenly cry because of a strong feeling

B

to burst in

24 3.3

To enter a room suddenly and interrupt people

B

to burst out

23 3.4

Start suddenly and appear or happen quickly

B

to burst out

16 3.3

Suddenly say something or make a loud sound

B

to burst out laughing

• Informal

8 2.4

To suddenly start laughing loudly and not be able to stop

B

to burst forth

7 5.4

Suddenly start to happen with a lot of energy

B

to burst in on

4 5.2

Go into a room or conversation suddenly and interrupt people

B

to burst upon

2 6.1

Suddenly appear in a place or in someone's mind and surprise people

Compounds

B

burst of fire

2 5.7

A sudden strong flash of flames or energy that happens quickly

B

burst of flavor

1 3.4

A sudden strong taste in food or drink

B

burst-up

• UK

7.7

A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation

How Forceful

to explode

591 2.8

to erupt

117 4.2

to burst

61 1.8

to spill out

43 3.6

to release

∞ 1.8

Surface Forms

Etymology