Synonyms of break out

break out 1 of 2

verb

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

• erupt
• burst (forth)
• explode
• flare (up)
• blaze (up)
• flame
• swell
• mount
• rocket
• skyrocket
• touch off
• proliferate
• multiply
• wax
• detonate
• mushroom
• snowball
• blow up
• balloon
• burgeon

breakout

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌau̇t 

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

• escape
• flight
• break
• rout
• getaway
• bunk
• rescue
• slip
• liberation
• lam
• redemption
• release
• salvation
• deliverance
• jailbreak
• close call
• close shave
• near miss

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confinement
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• captivity
• retention
• holding
• custody
• risk
• detention
• trouble
• hold
• internment
• hazard
• jeopardy
• immurement
• peril
• imperilment
• endangerment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of break out

Verb

The blaze broke out in the kitchen of the 11th-floor apartment in the Patterson Houses on Morris Ave. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

An argument broke out, and the 25-year-old fan was beaten nearly to death, his throat slashed with a broken beer bottle. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

Those who dabble will tell you to watch his campy breakout hits (Hairspray, Cry-Baby). — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

After his breakout season Cook fielded interest from virtually every Power Four league, including the Big Ten and SEC. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026