erupted; erupting; erupts
1
a(1)
: to burst from limits or restraint
(2)
of a tooth
: to emerge through the gum
b
: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up
c
: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth
war could erupt at any moment
the audience erupted in applause
2
: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption
: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently
a volcano erupting lava and ash
1
b
: characterized by eruption
the eruptive stage of smallpox
eruptive letters full of outbursts of anger or joking
2
: producing eruption
an eruptive fever
3
: produced by eruption
—usually used of intrusive rocks (such as granite, diorite, and gabbro) or extrusive rocks (such as rhyolite, andesite, and basalt)
eruptively
adverb
-tə̇vlē,
-li
eruptiveness
noun
-tivnə̇s,
-tēv- also -təv-
plural -es
Cite this Entry
“Erupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erupt. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.
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