51³Ō¹Ļ

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View synonyms for

tantrum

[ tan-truhm ]

noun

  1. a violent demonstration of rage or frustration; a sudden burst of ill temper.


verb (used without object)

  1. to have a tantrum:

    Don't give in to your grandson every time he tantrums.

tantrum

/ Ėˆ³ŁĆ¦²Ō³Ł°łÉ™³¾ /

noun

  1. often plural a childish fit of rage; outburst of bad temper
ā€œCollins English Dictionary ā€” Complete & Unabridgedā€ 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins

Origin of tantrum1

First recorded in 1740ā€“50; origin uncertain
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51³Ō¹Ļ History and Origins

Origin of tantrum1

C18: of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But Johnson's tantrum is a reminder that another central Republican concern is that work-from-home policies might help women's equality.

From

Online there is much debate as to what caused this trumpet temper tantrum.

From

Making threats, throwing tantrums, escalating violence against women or less powerful people?

From

Other parents said their children have been having potty accidents again, speaking in baby talk or gibberish, sleeping in their parentsā€™ bed and throwing tantrums over small changes in routines.

From

There are noticeably fewer complaints about temper tantrums if they happen in the Sweet 16.

From

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More About Tantrum

What doesĢżtantrum mean?

A tantrum is an angry outburst by someone who has lost their temper in reaction to something they didnā€™t want to happen. The term temper tantrum means the same thing.

Tantrums are often loud and they can be violent. A child kicking and screaming in response to being told to turn off the TV is having a tantrum.

The term is often used to refer to an outburst by a young child, especially a toddler. But it can also be used to refer to an outburst by an adult. When used this way, itā€™s intended to criticize the person for being unreasonable and acting like a child.

Tantrum is often used with the verb throw, as in My son threw a tantrum right in the middle of the store.

Less commonly, tantrum can be used as a verb meaning to throw a tantrum, as in She tantrums when she doesnā€™t get a treat.Ģż

Example: I work in customer service, so Iā€™m used to dealing with tantrums from people who donā€™t get their way.

Where doesĢżtantrum come from?

The first records of the word tantrum come from the 1700s, but its ultimate origin is uncertain.

If youā€™ve ever seen a toddler erupt in screams of rage and start stomping and rolling around over not getting something they wanted, youā€™ve witnessed a tantrum. Young children are still learning how to manage their emotions, so itā€™s common for them to have occasional temper tantrums, even over things that donā€™t seem like a big deal. When an adult throws a tantrum, it may not involve literal yelling and screamingā€”an angry social media post in ALL CAPS over some minor problem might be called a tantrum. Saying that an adult is throwing a tantrum is always intended to be a criticism of that person.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for tantrum?

What are some words that often get used in discussing tantrum?

How isĢżtantrum used in real life?

Children sometimes throw tantrums when they donā€™t get what they want. When the term is applied to an outburst by an adult, itā€™s used in a critical way thatā€™s intended to imply that that person is acting like a child.

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Try usingĢżtantrum!

Is tantrum used correctly in the following sentence?

I just saw a customer throw a tantrum at the server because the restaurant was out of ketchup.

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