Phrase guide

burst out

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To appear suddenly from within something else.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To display sudden powerful emotion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To speak emotionally or suddenly

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

erupt or intensify suddenly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Unrest erupted in the country
  • Tempers flared at the meeting
  • The crowd irrupted into a burst of patriotism

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: erupt, irrupt, flare up, flare, break open

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: intensify, deepen

5

verb

Meaning 5

appear suddenly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Spring popped up everywhere in the valley

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pop out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: appear

6

verb

Meaning 6

give sudden release to an expression

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We burst out laughing
  • 'I hate you,' she burst out

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: express, show, evince

Narrower terms: rip out

History

Etymology

Analytic form of the earlier outburst.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: purskahtaa — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Finnish: syöksähtää — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Finnish: ryöpsähtää — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • German: hervorbrechen — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • German: herausbrechen — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Latin: ērumpō — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Romanian: izbucni — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Spanish: prorrumpir — to appear suddenly from within something else
  • Irish: scread — to speak emotionally or suddenly
  • Spanish: prorrumpir — to speak emotionally or suddenly
  • Welsh: taro allan — to speak emotionally or suddenly