as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
in the wake of news reports of deaths from the flu, panic broke out, and there was a mad rush for flu shots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
the captives had been planning to stage a breakout at the next change in shift for the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break out
Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Protests have broken out decrying not just the wedding but tourism in general ruining the City of Canals.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2025
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 19 June 2025
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit came with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
Here are five effective ways to break out of your workplace rut and bring energy back to your daily grind.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Protests have broken out decrying not just the wedding but tourism in general ruining the City of Canals.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 June 2025
Noun
Other times, a cocktail of regional relevance and audience connection can lead to a breakout.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 19 June 2025
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit came with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
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More recently, the Ranch fire and the Henderson fire blazed across hundreds of acres, while the Lake fire erupted around 4 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday at the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in San Bernardino County and spread to 478 acres over the subsequent five hours.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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Bezos' multimillion-dollar affair has drawn ire online and in person, as protests erupt in the region calling for the Blue Origin owner to pay more in taxes amid global frustrations about class and wealth divides.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
Noun
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Friedland never ignores what’s upsetting about Ruth’s condition, especially the loneliness that might replace sleep in an unfamiliar bed, or the despair that triggers a nighttime escape.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
-
Authorities have arrested at least 16 people who are accused of aiding the escape of the inmates.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The number of craft breweries exploded from around 1,500 to over 5,000.—
Joe Chura,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
-
The 30,000-pound bombs burrow deep into the earth before exploding.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Additionally, LaGuardia Airport was seeing delays of up to three hours, with the FAA implementing a Traffic Management Program for incoming flights.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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The plot splits the team up, with Riker (Jonathan Frakes) leading efforts to ensure the flight goes off without a hitch.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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