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outburst

outburst

83 3.9
A sudden strong show of feeling like anger or laughter
  • noun
  • /ˈaʊtˌbɜrst/
translation icon : arrebato
  • His sudden outburst of anger surprised everyone at the meeting.
  • an emotional outburst
  • a violent outburst
  • an outburst of violence

He says it's not an outburst of relief or joy.

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Examples

  • - Private, I'm sorry for this sudden emotional outburst, but you need to focus!

  • Over what must have been a period of months, these outbursts became the rule rather than the exception.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Another outburst like this, and I'll clear the court.

  • You know better than to make such an outburst.

  • I'm afraid your outburst this evening will cost you.

  • One more outburst, and I'll hold you in contempt.

  • And almost the next day, surprisingly, you could see this outburst of sympathy for her.

  • We're not here to listen to outbursts of this kind, but to serve justice.

  • "I am afraid that I must charge you two demerits for your outburst, Mr. Sutton."

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Members of the jury, I'm gonna instruct you to disregard this outburst.

Synonyms

burst
vsoutburst
57 3.5

A short, strong period of activity or feeling

covers similar sudden strength but also longer or nonbrief events
explosion
vsoutburst
44 3.0

A sudden strong burst of emotion or noise

is the general sudden strong expression not limited to violence
outpouring
vsoutburst
42 4.2

A sudden large flow, for example of water, or a strong expression of feeling

is more general and can include small sudden expressions
flare-up
vsoutburst
11 6.0

A sudden increase in violence, anger, or symptoms

is neutral about good or bad sudden strong expressions
blowup
vsoutburst
  • Informal
7 6.1

A sudden angry outburst showing strong emotion

is less focused on loss of control and can be varied
flare
vsoutburst
5 5.3

A sudden strong feeling such as anger or excitement

is the general sudden strong expression, not only sharp spikes
gush
vsoutburst
2 5.9

A strong show of feeling, often in speech or writing

is similar but does not always imply excess or lack of control
effusion
vsoutburst
1 7.9

A strong, open expression of feelings

is more neutral about intensity and restraint in expression
flood of emotion
vsoutburst
1 3.6

A sudden strong feeling that is hard to control

is the broader sudden strong expression, not only overwhelming ones
ebullition
vsoutburst
  • Formal
9.9

A sudden strong show of feeling, for example loud joy or anger

is the broader label for any sudden strong expression
superexpression
vsoutburst
9.2

A strong show of feeling that seems too much

is the standard sudden strong expression without exaggeration focus
apoplectic outburst
vsoutburst
9.1

A sudden very angry reaction that people show loudly or violently

is broader, covering any sudden strong emotion, not only anger
fit of frustration
vsoutburst
5.8

A short sudden moment when someone becomes very angry because things go wrong

is wider, applying to sudden strong feelings beyond frustrated anger
8.5

A sudden violent crowd event that causes confusion and danger

focuses on sudden strong expression of feeling rather than physical chaos
burst-up
vsoutburst
  • UK
7.7

A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation

is the general sudden strong expression, not limited to arguments

Antonyms

122 4.8

The ability to control your feelings and actions

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

Compounds

A sudden very angry reaction that people show loudly or violently

How Strong

explosion
44 3.0
eruption
4 4.3
outpouring
42 4.2
outburst
83 3.9
expression
230 3.4

Surface Forms

outburst singular
outbursts plural

Morphology

outburst = burst (transparent) = out + burst

The components 'out' (to the outside) and 'burst' (sudden release) combine in a straightforward way to mean a sudden release or expression. [Postprocessing: moved 'out' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word outburst is made from out ('out') and burst ('break open suddenly'), so imagine a balloon that suddenly bursts and everything comes out. That's why an outburst is a sudden, strong expression of feeling or activity.