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
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The anti-nuclear artists collective whose work is on display at Pitzer College in Claremont never predicted a nuclear proliferation crisis would break out in the Middle East during their exhibit, or how grimly topical their work would quickly become as a result.
—Chloe Shrager, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
The Brewers traded staff ace Freddy Peralta to the Mets this offseason and last year’s breakout Quinn Priester will miss the start of the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Verb
The charge stemmed from earlier this month after a fight broke out between his girlfriend and another streamer, Jenny Popach.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The anti-nuclear artists collective whose work is on display at Pitzer College in Claremont never predicted a nuclear proliferation crisis would break out in the Middle East during their exhibit, or how grimly topical their work would quickly become as a result.
—Chloe Shrager, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
The end result is a lotion that hydrates while also preventing breakouts and smoothing rough texture over time.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
The Brewers traded staff ace Freddy Peralta to the Mets this offseason and last year’s breakout Quinn Priester will miss the start of the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break out
Verb
-
The Arlington Grace Prep Lions erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, cruising to a 9-2 victory over New Braunfels Allegiance in a non-district high school baseball contest Friday at the campus of Colleyville Covenant Christian.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The manager of a nearby bodega said the victims were arguing with another teen before the shooting erupted.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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April itself may feel too full for an extended escape, but don't overlook what's available close by.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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An excavator was used on Thursday to dig an escape channel after earlier unsuccessful efforts to coax the whale back toward deeper water, including using coast guard and fire department boats to create large waves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some airports are recommending passengers arrive twice as early for flights, and downloads of a security fast-track service app are up 200% on this time last year.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Most of the aid envoy returned on a chartered flight Monday and were not stopped and held for questioning, participants told the Miami Herald, but a handful of participants who stayed longer and flew back on a commercial flight Wednesday faced interrogations on their arrival.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oxygen cylinders in the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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While prestige body care has exploded in recent years, dermatologists say the drugstore aisle still delivers the most effective formulas.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20out. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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