break out 1 of 2

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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breakout

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of break out
Verb
Raised in New York, Donnelly immersed herself in musical theater from a young age before breaking out on screen in Zombies and later starring in ABC's American Housewife. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 The protesters, identified as pro-Palestinian activists, forced Harris to pause multiple times as jeers broke out. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
The bloody breakout hit from director Danny Boyle set a new standard for horror and spawned a sequel, 2007's 28 Weeks Later. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 The Fiery Furnaces have announced a special vinyl reissue of Blueberry Boat, their breakout album from 2004. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
  • Such disputes have been a feature of the pay-TV business for decades, and occasionally erupt into the public sphere.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • As gunfire erupted, her sister begged her to stay inside the vehicle, but Robleto stepped out, trying to understand what was happening.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Each Residence has abundant outdoor lounge spaces and a large swimming pool, and can be booked in its entirety for a group retreat or a multigenerational family escape.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Here, the local world flows straight into your own private escape, creating an unrivaled, unforgettable vacation experience.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps one of the most interesting seed dispersal tactics is the ones that explode.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And earlier this month, Ellison briefly became the richest person in the world, eclipsing Elon Musk, as Oracle’s stock exploded on its prognostications for its booming AI business.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • After all, the flight deck is where all the airplane controls are, and it’s typically locked when the airplane is in flight.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
  • But the Ariane 6 and the smaller Italian Vega C rocket aren't reusable like SpaceX's rockets, a design choice that has led to higher costs and a lower flight rate.
    Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025

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“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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