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
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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
Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria — like South Africa — had been easing monetary policy before the conflict broke out, but chose to hold their lending rates steady in recent weeks.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 May 2026
Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier was a breakout star as a freshman throwing for 3,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions while adding 527 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 after long-simmering tensions between the army and RSF erupted into a full-out war.
—Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria — like South Africa — had been easing monetary policy before the conflict broke out, but chose to hold their lending rates steady in recent weeks.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 May 2026
Noun
Getty Images Most Cinderella stories belong to basketball, but this year’s breakout underdog came from the golf course.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier was a breakout star as a freshman throwing for 3,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions while adding 527 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
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With California facing increasingly destructive wildfires, experts and officials have long urged the strategic removal of dense, flammable vegetation that can erupt into particularly destructive flames from a lightning bolt or the spark of a power line.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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So Arsenal wasn't even playing on May 19, when a tie in a match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth meant the overall math ensured the Gunners' victory — and North London erupted into a sea of red Arsenal jerseys.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The positive impacts of your escape from daily realities are doubled.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
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That escape also reveals the profound depths of his narcissism.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Michelle Montez, a flight attendant for 20 years, said barely a flight goes by where someone doesn’t poke, tap, prod or otherwise touch her.—
Hannah Sampson,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
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The first wave of pre-season testing was cancelled and a flight was chartered for the following day for players and staff to attend the joint funeral.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Some 40,000 people in Orange County, California, were forced to evacuate their homes over the weekend after a chemical tank at an aerospace facility was found to be at risk of exploding or leaking.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
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Also, amid a surge in Hezbollah attacks with exploding drones, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military will expand the scope of its attacks against Hezbollah.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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